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COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



LOVE AND KISSES 



BY / 

J. EPHRAIM CLOUGH 



-l-^J.,l ) l , i; -. W T.b-.l».y.> 



THE 



Sbbcy Press 

PUBLISHERS 

114 

FIFTH AVENUE 

Condon NEW YORK montrcal 



THE LBP'- I Cf 
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Tvvo Copifes Receiver | 

APR I '%3 

Copyngnt tniiy 

CLASS C«- XXc, No 

COPY B. 










Copyright, 1903, 






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CONTENTS. 



PAGE 

Picking Cherries i 

fLovie's Anniversary 4 

'The Festive House-fly 6 

Love 8 

Trish Evidence 10 

'My Earthly Mother 12 

My Sweetheart 14 

iMy Sainted Mother 15 

My Mascot 17 

^'hovQ Thy Neighbor as Thyself" 19 

^Dandelion 21 

Immortelles 23 

Philopena 25 

Anniversary of Marriage 2y 

Happy Thoughts 30 

Pumpkin Pie 32 

If I Were a Wee Bird 34 

/The Wish 36 

Lines for a Guest Room 38 

Lines for Guest Chamber 39 

Webster's Dictionary 40 

" The Unlucky Pearl 42 

You and 1 44 

She 46 

To My Clock : 48 



X Contents* 

PAGE 

'A Maiden Ladybird's Lament 50 

Love's Day 54 

Tears and Smiles 56 

Pillar-a-Cat and Hopper-grass 58 

To My Old Umbrella 61 

^yes versus Lips 63 

Tell Her So.. 65 

'Insomnia 68 

The Evening and the Morning 71 

Miscegenation 73 

Reincarnation 74 

Life's Mirage 76 

When Edith Smiles 79 

X-ines Addressed to a Letter 82 

A Valentine 84 

To Miss C.A.R.D 86 

Love's Immunity 88 

Sufficient unto the Day. . 90 

New Year's Wishes 91 

The Last Cooky in the Batch 92 

The Enamoured Rose 94 

Solitude 97 

Lines to Nellie's New Guitar 100 

A Reverie 102 

You Love Me in My Dreams 104 

Will We, Together? 106 

Wishes 108 

I, Tire of Thee ! iii 

Their Opinion of Me 112 

Where the Brook and River Meet 114 

iGod Bless You ! 116 

O the Bs 118 

If I had Never Met You 121 



Contents* zi 



PAGE 



Mary and Her Bike 123 

Que Voulez-Vous ? 124 

The Drop of Dew 125 

"Thou Shalt Not Steal !" 129 

The Photograph 131 

lA. Valentine 134 

Love Has No Night 135 

Lines to a Kiss 136 

If Man Were Always Kind 138 

{My Rival 140 

Why Not (Warum Nicht) ? 143 

The Coquette 144 

Love Is Everything 145 

lA.h, Hum ! 146 

The Chaperone of the Stars 147 

The Mother Kiss 148 

"16— to— i" 149 

Love's Folding-bed 150 

A Love Song 151 

A Nymph at the Bath 153 

A True Kiss 154 

Christmas Greeting 155 

A Spring Mitten 156 

An Elevator Episode 158 

The Ill-fated Kisslet 160 

A Valentine 162 

Woman 164 

I Wonder How They Do It ! 165 

Seasonable Admonition 167 

Dark Night 169 

A Kiss at the 'Phone 170 

When I am Gone 174 

From the Klondike 177 



z22 Contents* 

PAGE 

Valentine to Marie 179 

To a House Fly 182 

Pity, Lord ! 185 

All the World's A-Dreaming 187 

The Letter 190 

The Unfortunate Man 192 

JThe Other One 195 

Alter Ego 198 

Oh, Give Me Back My Jim 200 

Maude and Her Beaux 203 

Sweet Voices 204 

Don't Say We Must Part 206 

Lines for Guest Chamber 209 

Evening 210 

A Prayer 211 



A KISS. 

A kiss, a kiss, is a wellspring of bliss ; 
You'll find its sweet equal in no world but this ; 
It matters but little, from Matron or Miss ; 
The world goes round on the wheels of a kiss. 



LOVE AND KISSES- 



PICKING CHERRIES. 

The day was cloudless, bright and fair — 
Sweet hum of insects filled the air; 
While in the tree secure from harm, 
Sat Maude, with basket on her arm, 

Picking cherries. 

She sang, and picked with nimble speed, 
Unconscious of the eager greed 
Of such voracious birds as came 
And filled their baskets — all the same — 

Picking cherries. 

Towards the tree I, cautious, crept — 
With hope that I might intercept 
Her "highness" as she made descent; 
While she continued, still intent. 

Picking cherries. 



2 Love and Kisses* 

As down she came, and reached the ground- 
I hastened to her at a bound, 
And, with my arm about her waist, 
My lips to hers I fondly placed — 

Picking cherries. 



Said she — with flushed and startled face — 
While struggling in my close embrace — 
"Why, Jamie, boy! What's this you do?" 
Said I, *l'm doing same as you, — 

Picking cherries !' 



vSaid she, "I wonder how you dare! 
Such liberty you must beware! 
Your motive I can scarce divine, — 
Pray tell me what you mean ! Define — 

Picking cherries !'' 



Said I, "Sweet Matide, there's hardly need,- 
The definition's in the deed; 
Don't look so very much annoyed. 
As if you ne'er before enjoyed 

Picking cherries !" 



Pickings Cherries. 

Said she, "If that is what you mean, 
You'll henceforth take your cherries green, 
Or get them from some greener girl, — 
Away with you ! Don't act the churl — 

Picking cherries ! 



"Whenever you approach this tree, 
Remember — it belongs to me ! 
And if you pick without consent, 
I prophesy that you'll repent 

Picking cherries !'* 



"I've known young men, at times by stealth, 
To pick too much — for their good health ! 
Take warning, else results you'll rue, — 
I never will unite with you, 

Picking cherries!" 



Love and Kisses. 



LOVE'S ANNIVERSARY. 
(To My Muse.) 

We may not measure life by hours, 
Nor days, nor weeks, nor years ; 

'Tis measured by emotions. 
Heart-throbs and joyous tears. 

Some moments in our lives, by far 
Outweigh in sacred bliss 

The value of a hundred lives 
Of simple consciousness ! 

It is not all of life to live! 

True life is far above 
The thought of mere existence; 

'Tis all of life to love! 

True sympathy and tenderness 
Reflect love's counterpart. 

And love is life's true horologue, 
The dial of the heart. 



Lovers Anmvctsaty* 

So, Marie, I*m but one year old ! 

This last year treasures more 
In wealth of blissful memories 

Than all the years before! 

This, the fruition your dear love 
And fellowship has given; 

The sweetest, richest boon of earth, 
An antepast of heaven. 



Love and Kisses* 



THE FESTIVE HOUSE-FLY. 

A frolicksome thing is the festive house-fly; 
He slumbers at night, without closing an eye; 
Gets plenty of rest, without going to bed ; 
Gets up in the morn, without raising his head ; 
Retires in the chamber, without cap or gown; 
And roosts on the ceiling, with head hanging 

down. 
When first he awakens, he performs Delsarte; 
Then makes up his toilet, all ready to start. 
He rubs up his head, his wings, and his feet. 
Then goes on a forage for something to eat. 
No rings on his fingers, nor bells on his toes, 
But makes plenty music wherever he goes. 
Makes audible music, without any voice. 
Too loud for our comfort, and not very choice. 
.He'll watch when you sleep, and disturb your 

repose, 
By lighting, ker-plump, on the tip of your nose. 



The Festive Ho«se-FIy 7 

He suffers not any from rheumatic pains, 
For he knows just enough to come in when it 

rains. 
The idea of childhood he treats with some 

scorn, — 
He's as large as his grandfather when he is 

born. 
Inquisitive very, and fond of research, 
Will spy out the bald spots on heads, while in 

church. 
He preys upon every sensitive spot, — 
Would just as soon tackle the parson as not. 
Just to know how it feels, he wades in the 

cream. 
And swims in the soup, just to see how 'twill 

seem. 
So inquiring is he about Mrs. Spider, 
He never can rest until he's inside her. 
Wherever you go, he's everywhere, — 
But put finger upon him, and lo, he's not there ! 
He scans you with hundreds of eyes, it is said, 
x\nd flies, stands, or moves on his feet, till he's 

dead. 



8 Love and Kisses* 



LOVE. 

Love sometimes is a bashful child, 

Sometimes a froward boy; 
At times he's veiled in mystic guise — 

At times, exposed in joy. 

Sometimes his presence lies concealed 

In blushing, timid glance; 
Sometimes, is modestly revealed 

In shy and coy advance. 

Sometimes he's hid so deep in doubt 

And secret mystery. 
That, all too late, we recognize 

His meed of ecstacy. 

Lust and envy don his garb. 
And seek — by every grace 

And artifice — to imitate 
His sweet, benignant face: 



Love* 

But, purity and chastity, 

Deception ne'er permit, — 
And soon or later lies unveiled — 

The shameless counterfeit. 

Love knows no law — ^he heeds no form- 
He brooks no rude control ; — 

With matchless jj^race and majesty 
He rules his realm — the soul. 

He ne'er was born! — has always lived! — 

No power his life can sever; 
He leads us on — through fragrant paths — 

Forever and forever. 



10 Love and ICxsses* 



IRISH EVIDENCE. 

An Irishman — Duffy, by name — was indicted 

For smuggling contraband goods; and invited 

By the court to show proof, if he could, with- 
out fail — 

Of his innocence, else be remanded to jail. 

In Newberry Place — a small town on the bor- 
der 

Of Canada soil — was found, made to order, 

A mysterious cask, which was thought to con- 
tain 

Spirits more ardent than beer or champagne. 

In possession of "said Patrick Duffy/' 'twas 
found ; 

And, his friend, Michael Durgen — at the time 
on the ground — 

Was brought as a witness, to establish the 
crime — 

For the cask had been hidden away — in mean- 
time. 



Irish Evidence* ti 

Said the judge to Mike Durgen, "On oath, you 

must tell 
The truth to this court, and the whole truth, as 

well. 
Now, Mike, what was inside the cask that you 

saw ? 
(Remember, you're under the eyes of the 

law!)" 
Said Mike to his Honor, "Now thin, since ye 

ask, — 
It'll plaze me to tell all Oi know of the cask. 
One end was marked 'whisky,' — as plain as 

your face! 
And the other. Tat Duffy, of Newberry 

Place,' 
But, as Oi'm on me oath, this forchenit minit, 
Oi can't say — for sartin — which of 'em was in 

itr 



12 Love and Kisses* 



MY EARTHLY MOTHER. 

Working, planning, often drudging — 
Always giving, — naught begrudging — 
Seldom knowing recreation, 
Toiling on w^ithout cessation ; 
Sewing, darning, mending, knitting, 
Changing, cutting, trying, fitting, — 
Mother's work was never ended — 
While a brack remained unmended. 

Digging, seeding, flower-beds weeding- 
Not a moment's time for reading — 
Now in cellar, now up-stairs, — 
Scarcely time to say her prayers; 
Early, mornings, — late at night, 
Working by dim candle-light; 
Compensation, — ail i;he had, — 
Was — to make the children glad. 



My Earthly Mother. 13 

Stewing, brewing, frying, broiling, 
Roasting, toasting, poaching, boiling, 
Sweeping, dusting, brushing, stitching — 
From the attic to the kitchen — 
Washing, scrubbing, cleaning, beating — 
Cooking food for other's eating, — 
Bending o'er the midnight oil, — 
Never any end of toil. 

Dearest valued hour of greeting. 
Found at Wednesday evening meeting;— 
Only respite had from care, — 
Weekly hour of praise and prayer; 
Holy Sabbath-day, at best. 
Was her only time of rest ; 
Reading God's word, — meditation, — 
This, her best beloved vacation. 

Chopping, hashing, steaming, baking, — 
Eyes and limbs and muscles aching; 

Little praise had she, — or cheer, — 
Rarely shed the silent tear ; 
Ever patient, kind, forgiving, — 
Simply for her children, living; 
Full of gentle words — and kind, — 

Praising God with heart resigned. 



14 Love and Kisses* 



MY SWEETHEART. 

She gives no ear to aught that's said 

Of me, — except applause; 
She never speaks an unkind word, 

Though oft I give her cause; 
She never sees my faihngs 

Of body, heart, or mind ; 
With perfect ears, and tongue and eyes, 

She's deaf, and dumb, and bHnd. 



My Sainted Mother* 15 



MY SAINTED MOTHER. 

Image O divinely fair, — 
Calm, benignant and serene; 

Hallowed, e'en as angels are, — 
Type of womanhood — the queen; 

While in retrospect I view, 
As of yore, thy gentle face ; 

Countless virtues, tried and true, 
Find in memory a place. 

Fain would I in words express; — 
Though in vain the effort be ;— 

All the wealth of tenderness 
In that sainted face I see. 

Patient, fond, enduring love, 
Pure, unselfish constancy. 

Like to that of Heaven above — 
Cherished for humanity. 



16 Love and Kisses* 

Matchless word, I know no other 
Half so sweet and precious grown — 

As the sacred name of mother — 
Next to that of God's dear Son. 

Years may come and years may go — 
Time evolve, 'mid joy and tears — 
But the mother-love will glow 
i Brighter, warmer, with the years. 

Other lives may tell their story — 
Other loves may come to birth; — 

Naught can ever dim the glory 
Of a love too pure for earth. 

Blessed image! Precious mother! — 
Loved by all who know thee best, — 

Jesus, Savior, Friend and Brother, 
God and heaven give thee rest! 



My Mascot, 17 



MY MASCOT. 

Come sit beside me, Marie, dear; 

I'm playing at the game of life ; 
With you for mascot — ever near, 

I'm sure to conquer in the strife! 

Now, first, I'll aim to be a man ! 

My duty to our God, to pay ! 
Your presence will enrich the plan, 

Your precepts show the better way; 

And, secondly upon the list. 

Our country needs my brain and nerve; 
As patriot, philanthropist. 

And zealous statesman, I will serve. 

My home comes next, (Sit close to me! 

Mascots should not sit far away!) 
My home? You say what it should be, 

Dur love shall make it all you say! 



iZ Love and Kisses* 

Next after home, comes — children, please! 

And with them — for us all, good health! 
I'll ask for duties, not for ease, 

For worthy friends, and not for wealth. 

What more could gracious fortune send? 

What more to mortal could be given? 
God, country, home, children and friend. 

You, darling mascot, love, and heaven ! 



^'Love Thy Neigfhbor as Thyself.^ i9 



TOVE THY NEIGHBOR AS THYSELF." 

"Love thy neighbor as thyself !" 

A difficult command; 
I'm sure of it, whene'er I meet 

And take her by the hand! 
To "love her as myself" — ^Just think! 

A man, nov past "three score!" 
And she, a Miss, of nineteen years ! 

I love her vastly more! 

Sum up her truth and purity 

And every loving art; 
The gentleness and tenderness 

That constitute her heart ; 
And, think you, I could measure all 

The love I bear to her. 
By that I cherish for myself?, 

If so, you sadly err! 



20 Love and Kisses* 

Bring" out the scales, and pile them high 

With all self holds most dear ! 
Behold her far outweigh it all, 

With but a single tear! 
Then, double it and treble it. 

Add to it — pile on pile — 
And still 'tis but a feather's weight 

As matched against her smile! 

To "love her as myself" — Ah, me! 

Such love she would resent! 
(I love myself so selfishly;) 

It surely can't be meant 
That I should love her as a man 

Degraded by the fall! 
I'll "love my neighbor" as herself, 

Or love her not at all ! 



DandeHon* 2( 



DANDELION. 

Beauteous flower, how sweet you are! 
Shedding brightness everywhere; 
Blossoming o'er hill and glen ; 
Trod upon by feet of men, 
Undaunted still, you lift your head 
And make the earth a sunshine bed ! 
While with rapture now I gaze, 
Your splendor sets the fields ablaze! 
True, you shed no rich perfume. 
There's only brightness in your bloom — 
Yet you do not seek to hide. 
From any sense of worldly pride. 
But "blossom on, for all you're worth" 
And gold-bespangle all the earth. 
Humble though your station be, 
All the more you're prized by me. 
Handsome is that handsome lives ! 
Goodness is that goodness gives ! 



22 Love and Kisses* 

God, himself, must dearly love you. 

Else He'd not made so many of you. 

Your glory lasts but one brief day 

Before your beauty fades away; 

The second day, your drooping head 

Reclines upon its dying bed ; 

The third day shrouds your form in white. 

And heavenward, then, you take your flight. 

Thus quickly passed, all earthly strife ; 

Thus sweetly ends your finished life. 



Immortelles* 23 



IMMORTELLES. 

Flowers upon the grave of one 

Whose precious life has fled, 
Or changed to immortality, 

Are fitting o'er the dead; 
But better far the cheering word, 

The kindly look and smile 
To those who struggle on in life 

And feel their need — the while. 

The mourning weeds of sable crape, 

With which we voice our woe, 
Afford no balm to heal our grief, 

'Tis dumb and empty show; 
While kindness shown to living ones. 

Relieves the mourner's pain 
And adds new vigor to our faith ; 

iThe dead shall live again ! 



24 Love and Kisses* 

Grand monuments of rich design, 

Or vaults of granite gray, 
Are proper tributes of respect 

To loved ones, passed away; 
But better far, the memory 

Of helpful, loving deed — • 
Of proffered aid and sympathy 

To living ones in need. 

The sentimental epitaph. 

Inscribed on blocks of stone. 
To memorize the loved and lost. 

Can never quite atone 
For lack of deeds and words of love; 

Then, give the helping hand ! 
Inscribe your love on living hearts. 

This will forever stand! 



Philopena. 25 



PHILOPENA. 

Sweet May and I, one winter's eve, 
Were eating almond-nuts, together; 
We broke the shells and ate the meats 
And talked of everything but — weather; 
When, suddenly, she raised her eyes 
To mine, with winsome, joyous mien 
And said, with girlish sportiveness, 
"See, Harry, here's a philopene! 
And will you deign to eat with me?" 
The little dear ! She knew I would ! 
Fd eat, or drink, or die — With her, 
As any gallant lover should ! 

(The invitation — "Eat with me!" 
First given, by Eve in Paradise 
Resulted in a wedding trip 
That cost mankind a woeful price; 
And here was Eve's descendant. May, 
Proffering a tempting bait 
And I, like Adam, yielding, too, 
Her wish, my law, and so — I ate. ) 



26 Love and Kisses* 

The bargain made, to "give and take/* 

Our converse turned to other themes 

Each feigning mute forgetfulness, 

While still alert to artful schemes. 

I offered her all sorts of things — 

Books, thimble, scissors^ spools of thread. 

I tried to catch her, unawares 

She only smiled and shook her head. 

At last, I held out both my hands 

With glis'ning diamond ring between. 

"My heart goes with it. May," I said; 

She sighed, and I cried "PhilopeneT- 



Annivcfsaty of Marriagfc* 27 



ANNIVERSARY OF MARRIAGE. 
Dec. 31, 1896. 

As I remember well, 'tis five 

And thirty years, to-day, 
Since I.iz and I stood side by side 

And gave ourselves away. 
'Twas little else we had to give, 

Just starting 'len in life; 
I gave to her a marriage vow 

And she gave me a wife ! 

Two precious, helping hands she gave. 

Two cheeks of rosy hue; 
Two dimpled arms, two ruby lips, 

Two eyes of bonny blue, 
Her faithful, sweet companionship, 

Her tender sympathy, 
The trust and love of her large heart; 

These, all, she gave to me. 



28 Love and Kisses* 

We had been ardently in love 

For six long months or more, 
We did not count our hearts as lost 

But simply gone before; 
And now, we sought to reunite 

Our hearts and selves again. 
In that glad dual-spirit world 

Where "one is made of twain." 

Our wedding clothes were not the best. 

But, still, we thought them fine. 
And we were just as happy then 

As if we'd owned a mine. 
"With all my goods, I thee, endow!" 

A promise quickly made 
And easy kept — for, on my back 

Was all my stock in trade! 

In fact, I gave her all I had 

The hour when first we met; 
And thirty-five years' giving, since. 

Still leaves me in her debt. 
For ;that she gives, is priceless 

In value far above 
The preciousness of rubies — 

Her tenderness and love. 



Anniversary of Mat ria§;e* 29 

We both are somewhat changed since we 

Were wedded long ago ; 
Our eyes are dim, our step less firm, 

Our hair the shade of snow; 
But little use have we, for eyes, 

With all our path so bright, 
And, as for feet — weVe learned to walk 

"By faith, and not by sight." 

WeVe had misunderstandings — ^yes. 

And who has not, I pray? 
But reconciliation sweet 

Has always crowned the day; 
It may be, sad affliction, yet. 

Just providence will send ; 
Whatever betides, our love shall stand 

Unbroken, to the end ! 



30 Love and Kisses* 



HAPPY THOUGHTS. 

There^s not a waking hour, Meliss, 
But memory, so fond and true, 

Regales my eager heart with bliss 
In precious, loving thoughts of you! 

There's not a day, however rare, 

With glowing sun and cloudless sky, 

But mem'ry makes it doubly fair 

With thoughts of your sweet sympathy. 

There's not a dream in deepest night 
That comes my sleeping hours to bless, 

But fondest mem'ry brings to light, 
Sweet visions of your tenderness. 

There's not a fear by night nor day 

That comes, my anxious heart to move. 

But mem'ry soothes that fear away 
With thoughts of your sustaining love. 



Happy Thougfhts* 3 J 

My joy, like a glad river, flows 
Forever onward, onward driven, 

And ever broader, deeper grows. 

With happy thoughts of you — and heaven ! 



"Mother, I'm going out to court!" 
(One Sunday eve, said Jimmie Searls,) 

"All right, my son, enjoy your sport. 
But, mind you don't go near the girls !" 



32 Love and Kisses* 



PUMPKIN PIE. 

I love to see ripe pumpkins lying on the ground 

'Twixt shocks of corn and melon vines mean- 
dering around; 

There's something so delectably suggestive in 
the sight, 

It takes me back to boyhood days; my heart 
swells with delight. 

Then memory goes rushing back to happy 

childhood hours, 
And gets mixed up with gingerbread and pie 

and cake and flowers ; 
There's nothing starts the moisture in the 

mouth, or in the eye, 
Like visions of the luscious, the delicious 

pumpkin pie. 



Pumpkin Pie* 33 

There's dumplings, doughnuts, puddings, pop- 
corn, and buckwheat cakes 

With 'lasses on, and peach preserves, and cook- 
ies grandma makes; 

There's raisin^rake, with frosting on in tints 
to catch the eye; 

But 'mongst them all there's nothing quite 
comes up to pumpkin pie. 



34 Love and Kisses* 



IF I WERE A WEE BIRD. 

If I were a wee little feathery bird, 

With wings that could waft me through 
heaven's bright blue; 
And a "song without words" sweet as ever was 
heard, 
I would fly to your lattice and sing it to you. 

And you, when you heard a bird carol near by. 
Would go to your window, I'm sure, sweet 
Meliss, 
And when you perceived that the warbler was 

I, 

Would open the lattice and throw me a kiss. 

And then if you had a sweet thought or desire 
You wished to make known to a friend who 
is dear. 
You could send it by me — instead of "by 
wire;" 
I'd secretly whisper it close to his ear. 



If I Were a Wee Bird- 35 

And if your good friend, in return, spoke of 
you 
In terms half as sweet as I know you deserve 
You could trust me to bring it, I'd not prove 
untrue, 
But would do all I could your kind purpose 
to serve. 

All I'd ask for my service would be a kind 

word 

And once in a while, a crumb of sweet cake ; 

These are trifles, to you, but much to a bird 

Who, all the day long, has his living to 

make. 

And if to kind words you should add a sweet 

smile. 

The brightness of springtime your smile 

would impart; 

I surely could warble much better, the while 

Such sweet benediction enlivened my heart ! 

Would you like it, Meliss, this bird-serenade? 

And like me the better for what I had done ? 
If so, I would think myself more than repaid; 

The happiest, gladdest bird, under the sun ! 



36 Love and Kisses* 



THE WISH. 

I have a wish I woiild unfold. 

But 'tis a secret wish, you see. 
And I should only like it told 

In confidence, to you by me. 

My wishes, from my youth, have been 

Beyond my power to realize; 
I covet what I cannot win, 

I run the race but miss the prize. 

Such ever is my fatal luck; 

I grasp the shell, but lose the meat ; 
No matter how much skill or pluck 

Is brought to bear, I reap defeat! 

My wish — Why, youVe already guessed ! 

You turn your head — ^you feign surprise 1 
I see your answer half confessed. 

Foreshadowed in your downcast eyes! 



The Wish* 37 

And more than ever now, I fear 

Results, the wish is so divine! 
I can no longer hide it, dear — 

I wish to be 

Your Valentine ! 

Detroit, 1897. 



38 Love and Kisses* 



LINES FOR A GUEST ROOM. 

Look about yoit, welcome guest, 

Behold our wish to give you rest ! 
Here's easychair, and lounge, and bed. 

With pillows soft, to ease your head, 
And toilet articles galore. 

Indeed, what could you wish for, more? 
Forget your troubles and your cares 

(But don't forget to say your prayers) 
Then, lay you down to peaceful sleep. 

While angels, watchful vigil, keep; 
And when the night shall pass away. 

Wake, to hail a glad new day. 



Lines for Gt^est Chamber* 39 



LINES FOR GUEST CHAMBER. 

Come lay you down, our welcome guest, 

To quiet, tranquil, peaceful rest. 
While here you calmly, sweetly sleep. 

May guardian angels vigil keep. 
If pleasant dreams should come to you, 

May you awake to find them true; 
May heaven shine round you, while you stay 

To cheer our hearts, from day to day. 



40 Love and Kisses* 



WEBSTER'S DICTIONARY. 

The hardest book I know to read, 

A book that's not inspired, 
Is Webster's dictionary; 

It makes me very tired. 
When searching for a word I want, 

I'm sure to see some other 
That makes me sorry, sad, or mad, 

And gives no end of bother. 

For instance, if I look for love. 

The first I see is — liar; 
And when I seek for marriage, 

I stumble onto — ^mire ! 
Whene'er I look for anarchy, 
i I first find ale, or axes, 
And if I wish for "certainty," 

It may be death, or taxes. 



"Webstcr^s Dfctionary* 41 

For delight, I get damnation, 

For comfort, it's commotion^ 
For relief, repudiation, 

For languor, locomotion. 
For mercy, I find mildew. 

For peace, see persecution, 
For justice, it is jail or Jew, 

For rest, get revolution. 

For virtue, I read vile, or vice, 

For sweetheart, gaze at "sister," 
For naughty, I contemplate "nice," 

For blessing, I find "blister !" 
But dictionaries we must have. 

However much we flout *em; 
'Tis easier to tell their faults 

Than 'tis to do without 'em. 



42 Love and Kisses* 



THE UNLUCKY PEARL. 

She was a sweet girl — they called her "a pearl," 
And claimed she had virtues both precious 
and rare; 
Was fond of gay life — would fain be a wife, 
And dreamed of a home with a carriage and 
pair. 

In a moment of haste her life was laid waste ; 

She married a man for his beauty and style — 
She thought it all joy unmixed with alloy, 

Though, in fact, she had known him a very 
short while. 

In a month or two more, the honeymoon o'er, 
Her spouse was engrossed in business life ; 

After papers were read, he'd repair to his bed. 
Not seeming to care that he had any wife. 



The Unlucky PearL 43 

While she was verbose, he soon grew morose, 
Did nothing whatever her pleasures to swell ; 

She found that the "pearl" she was as a girl. 
Was housed with an oyster, in ugly dark 
shell. 



44 Love and Kisses* 



[YOU AND I. 

O the hour when first we met ! 

That dear hour we'll ne'er forget. 
We bless it even yet, 

You and I. 

[At once love- did begin it, 

We realized the minute 
Dur eyes met, that both were "in it," 
You and I. 

We pretended not to care. 

But, before we were aware, 
We were fast in Cupid's snare. 
You and I. 

'Twas on the pebbly strand 

You took my trembling hand 
And wrote upon the sand, 
"You and I." 



You and L - 45 

Then, with impulsive move, 
You traced a Hm ahove^ 
And I read the words "WE LOVE— " 

iYOUANDir 

Two lips gave a sweet sound, 

Two lives in one were bound, 
Two hearts were lost and found — 
You and L 

We could not brook delay, 

So we set an early day 
And were married, right away] 
You and I. 

Since then, weVe lived in peace; 

Our love will e'er increase 
We sigh for no release 

You and I. 

The line, was washed away, 
But we are here to stay 
And rewrite it every day. 
You and I. 



46 Love and Kisses* 



SHE. 

Her style was something quite unique, 

I never saw the like; 
And so I took a hasty pique 

As suddenly her bike 
Came rustling past me, like a strique. 

To match her suit, you'd vainly sique 

The country o'er and o'er ; 
You could not match it in a wique, 

Its every tuck and gore 
So neat and tidy, trim and slique. 

Her modest countenance, and mique 

Expression, made me sigh; 
The radiant color on her chique 

Rejoiced my thoughtful eye; 
My heart o'erflowed, I longed to spique. 



She. 47 

She must have been inured to beaux. 

Why should I hesitate? 
My suit I hoped she'd not oppeaux, 

I could no longer wait, 
The question in my mind to cleaux. 

I vowed I would my love discleaux; 

But, as I doff'd my hat, 
She quickly turned up her sweet neaux 

And softly said quite pat, 
"I'm married, sir ! Please don't propeaux !" 



48 Love and Kisses* 



TO MY CLOCK. 

My dear old friend and household pet, 

You've placed me vastly in your debt 

For faithful services galore; 

You've done your best, none could do more ; 

You've labored on, both night and day, 

Without encouragement or pay. 

I've wound you, every v^eek or so, 

So tenderly, since years ago, 

I find, unconsciously I've bound 

Some of my heart-strings close around 

Your inner self, your vital part. 

Till now we're coupled, heart to heart. 

I prize your unpretending case, 

I love your dear old honest face, 

I prize your hands, and every wheel 

Your modest face would fain conceal. 

At morn, you watch me ope mine eyes, 

And tell me when 'tis time to rise; 

At breakfast, dinner, supper, all, 

I note your cheerful, hearty call; 



To My Clock* 49 

Your gentle hammer's on the beat, 
Whene'er 'tis time for me to eat; 
And when all else is done and said, 
You warn me that it's time for bed. 
When quite run down, you're never ill. 
When on the go, you're standing still. 
You're sometimes fast, but never quick. 
Don't trust, but always go on tick; 
You've worked for nothing, now, for ages, 
You strike, but not for higher wages ; 
You're monarch of the mantel-shelf. 
But, slave to all the world, yourself 



50 Love and Kisses* 



A MAIDEN LADYBIRD'S LAMENT. 

The fourteenth day of February! 

And I am sad and forlorn — very! 
Everything goes so contrary! 
I've looked in vain, T can see nary 

A valentine ! 

I've lingered long at Hymen's gate 

Offering all sorts of bait 
Till now I fear 'tis quite too late 

For me to get a duplicate — 

A valentine! 

I've hunted high and hunted low 
Among the pretty birds I know, 

Hoping fortune would bestow 

Something suggesting mistletoe — 

A valentine! 



A Maickn Ladybird^s Lament* 5^ 

But, woe is me ! I've sought in vain, 
Nothing comes this way but — pain ! 

The truth at last is all too plain, 
'Tis useless to expect a swain — 

A valentine! 



Fve watched the other birds all day, 

To see the sly, designing way 
They spread their nets, to catch and slay 

Their guileless, unsuspecting prey — 

A valentine! 



I fear I shall not find my match, 
My nest of eggs will never hatch. 
My cake's all dough, a sorry batch, — 
Unless I manage now to catch 

A valentine ! 



I'm healthy, pretty, witty, wise. 

With loving beak, and charming eyes, 

And ought to win, in such a guise. 
And captivate in sweet surprise, 

A valentine! 



52 Love and Kisses* 

I'm rich in down, and hair and sticks, 

And skilled in art to intermix 
Them well together snug as bricks; 

But lack this one genteel affix — 

A valentine. 



What makes the male birds all, so shy ? 

'Tis difficult to catch their eye ! 
They coldly flout me, as they fly. 

As though they thought I'd steal, or buy 

A valentine. 



I'd have them know I'm not so bad, 
Nor my condition quite so sad. 

There's other birds yet, to be had ! 
"For every lass there's still a lad,'' 

A valentine. 



Sometimes I have a solemn doubt! 

What is this nonsense all about? 
If marriage means to he devout, 

'Twere better far to live without 

A valentine ! 



A Maiden Ladybird's Lament* 53 

For I am fond of show and dress, 

And just a little wickedness, 
And this might make an awkward mess 

In case I ever should possess 

A valentine. 

At all events, 'tis now so late, 

I'll go to roost w^ithout a mate. 
I don't much care, at any rate; 

I almost think I'd fairly hate 

A valentine. 

They shall no longer me abuse; 

Their insults I can ne'er excuse; 
I'll live a maiden-bird recluse, 

I absolutely do refuse 

A valentine. 



54 Love and Kisses* 



LOVE'S DAY. 

Ah ! who can paint love's dawning ! 

The blushing hues of morn; 
The bashful, glowing twilight, 

Ere love's bright day is born? 
And who shall tell the ecstacy. 

The first pale rosy thrill 
That spreads till all love's being 

Lies drunk with rapture's fill ! 
And waves of joy come flowing 

Onward still, but strong, 
A mighty tide, aspiring 

To swell the heart's sweet song! 

But dawn's bright colors vanish, 
And love's sweet blindness goes, 

The stronger light of mid-day 
Absorbing all the rose. 



Love's Day. 55 

Come weariness and labor, 

Self-sacrifice -nd pain; 
Comes sad-faced disappointment. 

With all her brooding train. 

Yet know, the sun is shining. 

And love shall stronger grow 
With care, and patient waiting. 

God wills it should be so; 
Since He foresees love's evening. 

That reaches into heaven, 
The full completed blessing, 

To constant lovers given ! 
The grateful rest and hushing 

Of all that's weary grown, 
The tender warmth and glowing 

Of joys till then unknown ! 



56 Love and Kisses* 



TEARS AND SMILES. 

A tear and smile once ran a race 
To see which of the two would win ; 

The "course" was over Willie's face, 
From shining eye to dimpled chin ; 

From eye to chin the tear must roll. 
The smile to go from chin to eyes ; 

Whichever first could reach the goal, 
Should be the one to get the prize. 

The tear came rolling out with speed, 
And hastened on its downward course, 

Like wheels on a velocipede, 
Each revolution adding force; 

It seemed, at first, most sure to beat. 
Because it had so much the start; 

But ere it finished up the heat. 
The smile essayed to take a part; 



Tears and Smiles* 57 

(The kitten tumbled off the chair 
Upon the back of Fritz, the dog, 

With claws entangled deep in hair; 
It set the children all agog!) 

From Willie's lips the smile took birth, 

Tt sped uphill to eyes and ear 
Till cheeks and mouth convulsed with mirth 

And quickly swallowed up the tear * 



5S Love and Kisses* 



PILLAR-A-CAT AND HOPPER-GRASS. 

Miss Pillar-a-cat met Hopper-grass, 

One warm, delightful July day. 
And could not let the option pass, 

To stop him short and have her say; 

His muscle she had long admired 
His agile feet, his sturdy thigh ; 

But when she saw them unattired, 

She blushed — to view with unveiled eyes. 

Said she, "You must excuse my whims. 
And do not think me quite a prude. 

But why expose your naked limbs 

To all the world ? 'Tis worse than rude ! 

"The nude in art, while I adore, 

As Mrs. Grundy says 'tis right, 
The nude in nature, I abhor, 

And strongly wish it out of sight. 



Pillaf-a-Cat and Hopper-Grass* 59 

''With sumptuous tare where'er you go, 
Up to your eyes in luscious clover, 

Your lanky legs look, still, as though 
They sadly needed 'dipping over !* " 

Said Hopper-grass to Pillar-a-cat ; 

"You look the modest thing you are; 
I'd clothe myself and look quite fat. 

If I had half your wealth of hair. 

"Your supple form and dainty feet 
Are quite entrancing, to my mind ; 

Charms so combined I rarely meet. 
Your every feature seems refined ; 

"Your pretty eyes and mouth, I vow, 
Are something quite unique and rare; 

And those sweet antlers on your brow 
Give you a look quite debonair ! 

"Your beauty captivates my heart. 
Your movements all so graceful seem, 

I nevermore can bear to part 

From your blonde robe of flossy cream; 



60 Love and Kisses* 

"I cannot hope that you will praise 
My awkward limbs and ogre face, — 

But, don't forget, the maxim says — 
'The lean dog always wins the race.' 

*'Come off the fence, sweet P-A-C ! 

Come, be my bride, — I'll be your lover ! 
With your consent, we'll married be, 

And ever after live in clover!" 

Now, at his touch, she shrank and fell 

Into his arms a fluffy ball; 
What happened next I'll never tell; 

They married were, and — that is all. 



To My Old Umbrella* a 



TO MY OLD UMBRELLA. 

I honor you, my dear old friend, 
For valued favors, without end. 
Through sunny days and stormy weather 
We've wandered, arm in arm, together. 
In times of drought and times of wet 
Since the glad hour when first we met. 
Your faded garments, old and worn. 
Give evidence of hardship borne. 
Your strength has been severely taxed; 
You're all unstrung — ^unnerved, relaxed; — 
You've now become so old and thin, 
You show the ribs beneath your skin. 
You're worse, of late, whene'er it rains ; 
I'm sure you feel rheumatic pains. 
Your joints are stiff; your members shake 
And tremble, at each move you make. 
Your powers are surely on the wane ; 
An ordinary hurricane. 
Or slightest touch of a cyclone, 
Would shatter each remaining bone! 



62 Love and Kisses* 

You're warped and tattered, I declare, 
And looking much the worse for wear; 
Your coat shows countless holes and scars, 
As if you'd passed through many wars. 
You have my sympathies, old pard ! 
Farewell ! Your life has been too hard ! 
Forget your ugly gaps and seams, 
And lay you down to pleasant dreams. 
Peace to your bones ! May no rude pest 
Encroach upon your place of rest; 
No scorching sun disturb your shade. 
No drenching storm your peace invade. 



Eyes versus Lips* 63 



EYES VERSUS LIPS. 

I sit me down by Marie's side 

And take her precious hand in mine, 
And watch the fitful, glowing tide 

Of youthful blood, like rosy wine. 
Suffuse her blushing cheek; 

In tones of melting tenderness 
I say, "Dear Marie, may I speak?" 

Her lips say "No!" — her eyes say "Yes!" 

With fainting heart I note the word, 

With anxious gaze I watch her eyes; 
Her tender, trustful smiles, afford 

The courage that her word denies. 
Again I falter, "Marie, dear. 

Please, will you not my waiting bless ?" 
Again the fatal word I hear, 

Her lips say "No!" — her eyes say "Yes!" 



64 Love and Kisses* 

Which shall I trust, the word, or look ? 

When asked, upon her wedding day, 
(I've heard it said, or read in book,) 

If she will cherish and obey, 
A woman says what form requires, 

But means just this, not more, nor less : 
She'll do whate'er she most desires; 

Her eyes say "No!'* — her lips say "Yes!" 

Determined now to do my best 
And trust my fate to eyes alone, 

I clasp her fondly to my breast, 

And vow I'll have her for my own ! 

Let woman's lips say what they may, 
The eyes her inmost soul express ; 

(At least, we've settled it that way;) 
Her lips say "No!" — ^her eyes say "Yes!" 



TcII Her So* €S 



TELL HER SO. 

Amid the cares of married life, 
In spite of toil and business strife, 
If you value your sweet wife, 

Tell her so. 

Prove to her you don't forget 
The bond to which your seal is set; 
She's of life's sweets the sweetest yet — 

Tell her so! 

When days are dark and deeply blue, 
She has her troubles same as you. 
Show her that your love is true — 

Tell her so! 

In former days you praised her style 
And spent much care to win her smile; 
'Tis just as well now worth your while — 

Tell her so! 



tb Love and Kisses* 

There was a time you thought it bhss 

To get the favor of one kiss ; 

A dozen, now, won't come amiss — 

Tell her so! 

Your love for her is no mistake; 
You feel it — dreaming, or awake 
Don't conceal it! For her sake. 

Tell her so! 

You'll never know what you have missed 
If you make love a game of zvhist; 
Lips mean more than to be kissed! 

Tell her so ! 

Don't act, if she has passed her prime, 
As though to please her were a crime ! 
If e'er you loved her, now's the time — 

Tell her so ! 

She'll return, for each caress. 
An hundredfold of tenderness! 
Hearts like hers were made to bless! 

Tell her so ! 



TcII Her So- 67 

You are hers, and hers alone ; 
Well you know she's all your own; 
Don't wait to "carve it on a stone" — 

Tell her so! 

When discouragements are rife, 
Your best helpmate is your wife; 
She's your mascot all through life — 

Tell her so! 

Never let her heart grow cold ; 
Richer beauties will unfold; 
She is worth her weight in gold ! 

Tell her so! 



6$ Love and Kisses* 



INSOMNIA. 

Now I lay me down to sleep — 

But goodness knows how long 'twill be, 
(All huddled up here in a heap,) 

Before sweet slumber comes to me ! 
I close my eyes and try to doze, 

And 'most succeed, I must confess, 
When some slight itching, on my nose, 

Awakens me to consciousness. 

I give my nose a gentle touch, 

The trouble quickly disappears. 
But ere I've time to say as much, 

The tingle's in one of my ears. 
From ear to shoulder, now it glides. 

And thence returns to whence it came; 
It goes the rounds, and then subsides ; 

A quiet comes o'er all my frame. 



Insomnia* 69 

I hear a soft step, in the hall; 

It cannot be, — Now, what is that? 
I thought I heard somebody call, 

Oh, fiddle dee! 'tis but the cat! 
My nerves received a fearful shock; 

Now, there's a noise I do not like ; 
Oh, yes, I see, it is the clock; 

'Tis getting ready for a strike. 

I seek the realm of dreams in vain, 

In vain invoke the drowsy god, 
My eyes are open wide again, 

I'm nowhere near the land of Nod. 
O Morpheus ! You're sly indeed, 

And chary of your potent charms; 
Be thou a friend, in time of need, 

And fold me in thy restful arms. 

If thou indeed art god of dreams, 
Relieve me of this morbid pain ; 

Bid balmy soporific streams 

Flow gently o'er my restless brain. 

And thou, O Somnus, god of sleep ! 
, To thee I offer prayer and vow; 

Bid Lethean waters, cool and deep. 
Refresh and soothe my fevered brow, 



70 Love and Kisses* 

And summon all thy myriad host 

Of mystic forms, in armed array, 
To seize, and down, this wily ghost. 

This arrant fiend, insomnia ! 
Exhausted by my prayers, at last 

My head beneath the sheet I hide; 
A trolley-car goes rushing past. 

Again my eyes are open wide! 

"To sleep!" said I? 'Tis a mistake! 

My mind is sadly mixed to-night; 
*T lay me down to keep awake," 

Would tell the story nearer right! 
I make a vow : "I'll try no more ! 

I'll stay awake, upon my bed !" 
Soon after that I sleep, and snore 

Enough to fairly raise the dead ! 



The Evening: and the Morningf* 71 



THE EVENING AND THE MORNING. 

The setting sun left earth suffused in tears 
And chilling night permitted them to stay, 

But dawn, more tender, soothed earth's brood- 
ing fears. 
And rosy morning kissed her tears away. 



The starry night, ere day was born. 
Looked down to see the coming morn ; 
She saw and kissed him, at his birth. 
And, blushing, twihght veiled the earth. 



*Twas night ! The pale declining moon 
Took her departure all too soon! 
Each planet, star, and satellite 
Waved her a sad but sweet "good-night ;" 
When morn approached, they kissed good-bye, 
As each withdrew beyond the sky, 
Then, night kissed morning, at his birth, 
And blushing dawn kissed all the earth. 



72 Love and Kisses* 

Morn softly crept on night apace 
While paling starlight veiled his face; 
He stole a kiss, and — she was gone; 
vShe blushed, and mankind said 'twas dawn. 



Miscegenatiaa* 73 



MISCEGENATION. 

Bold morning stole on night apace 
And softly kissed her sombre face; 
Quoth she, "I long have sought this fate; 
We must, we will, amalgamate!" 



74 Love and Kisses. 



REINCARNATION. 

A dewdrop fell into a half -opened rose, 
And feeling exhausted, as one might suppose, 
Sank down on a petal for rest and repose, 
And dropped, quite unconsciously, into a doze. 

The evening was cool and the night colder still. 
But, snug under cover, the drop felt no chill. 
So, tenderly sheltered, and fearing no ill, 
Sweet innocence took of rare fragrance its fill ; 

Not dreaming that danger, which lurks every- 
where. 
In the earth, in the sky, in the sea, in the air, 
Could ever exist in the form of a snare, 
In a bower so pure and so wondrously fair. 



Reincarnation* 75 

But, sad to relate, there soon came a mishap, 
The beautiful dewdrop was caught in a trap, 
For stamens and pistils broke up its sweet nap ; 
They seized and absorbed it, not leaving a 
scrap. 

So dewdrop gave up its young life, as you see, 
As food for the rose and game for the bee. 
Thought that was the end, but not so do we 
Dispose of this problem in theosophy; 

To tell you what happened, without price or 

money, 
Next morning the day being genial and sunny, 
The dewdrop that passed, in a way that seemed 

funny, 
Revived in the form of a drop of pure honey. 



76 Love and Kisses* 



LIFE'S MIRAGE. 

A charming city in the clouds, in beautiful 

array ; 
To longing eyes it seems to be not very far 

away; 
'Tis wondrous fair to look upon, and almost in 

my grasp; 
I strain my eyes, extend my arms, as if its form 

to clasp. 

I see the sunlight dancing on domes overlaid 
with gold, 

On glist'ning spires and stately towers over- 
looking wealth untold; 

Reflecting peace and happiness, and earthly 
pleasure tliere; 

My bosom swells, as I pursue this city in the 
air. 



Life's Miragfe* 77 

The prospect, how entrancing! Imagination 

sweet, 
Ne'er gave anticipation so glorious a treat! 
"I'm coming, precious city! I'm flying unto 

you! 
In fancy, I am breathing your atmosphere of 

blue I 



"In fancy, I am scaling your tessellated walls ; 

Reposing upon beds of down, within your spa- 
cious halls; 

In fancy, I am resting 'neath cool, delightful 
shade, 

Beside refreshing fountain, or charming es- 
planade : 



"Your beauty, so alluring, engrosses all my 

mind : 
Determined to attain it, I leave all else behind : 
With eagerness expectant, I press toward the 

prize, 
Invoking all the gods to aid my wish to real- 

ize. 



78 Love and Kisses* 

But, as I run, with anxious heart, pursue it 
more and more, 

I find myself, for all my pains, no nearer than 
before. 

Anon it seems to beckon me, I hasten where it 
leads ; 

Alas! the nearer I approach, the farther it re- 
cedes. 

For years and years it seems I run, with 
pleasure, in the chase. 

To reach this phantom city and rest in its em- 
brace ; 

But after all of life is spent, 'tis not for such 
as I, 

To dwell in peace and joy, with this fair city of 
the sky. 



When Edith Smiles* 79 



WHEN EDITH SMILES. 

When Edith smiles, the world looks bright; 

The air seems filled with losy light; 
My heart responds with bliss elate, 

My pulses thrill and palpitate, 

When Edith smiles. 

The grass looks greener, in the field ; 

The flowers, richer fragrance yield; 
In harmony, earth's forces seem, 

And life a blissful, happy dream, 

When Edith smiles. 

There's triumph in her mirthful eyes 
Where Cupid, sly in ambush, lies, 

Alert to spring upon his prey, 
And bear it joyfully away — 

When Edith smiles. 



80 Love and Kisses* 

There's wealth of treasure in her lips — 

That shelter gems whose pearly tips 
O'erfill with envy, as with cheer, 
Each soul within her magic sphere — 

"When Edith smiles. 



The sweetest music ever heard, — 

The voice of harp, or song of bird, — 

Ne'er furnished half the charm to me, 
That thrills my heart with melody 

When Edith smiles. 



Her voice is like a fairy flute, — 
Her song, like bright Apollo's lute ; 

Her mirth, a merry rippling rill 

Whose waters life and joy distill — 

When Edith smiles. 



The senses, all, rejoice and sing, 
Despondency and gloom take wing, 

Pain and trouble flee away, 

Peace and gladness come to stay, 

When Edith smiles. 



When Edith Smiles. Si 

Earth and sky, both look more fair, 
There^s banishment of every care, — 

Of all life's worries, griefs and fears, — 
Of sadness, sorrow, sighs and tears,— 

When Edith smiles. 



82 Love and Kisses* 



LINES ADDRESSED TO A LETTER. 

You dainty, darling, precious thing — 
Brought to me on Cupid's wing — 
Sweetly, neatly, nicely dressed — 
Fraught with love but half confessed — 
Received with love but faintly guessed — 
Clothed in coat of jaunty blue — 
How I delight to gaze at you ! 

I vowed to burn you, soon as read, 
Condemned you to your dying bed ! 
Destroy you now, at one fell blow, 
Just as IVe learned to love you so? 
My ev'ry heart-throb cries out — No! 
I can't conjure sufficient wrath 
To give you now a iiery hath. 

And yet I must my promise keep. 
E'en though it makes me sigh and weep. 
Is there no way — before too late — 
To save you from this direful fate? 
Must I your lovely form cremate? 



Lines Addressed to a Letter* 83 

(I'll not commit — until I must— 
"Ashes to ashes, and dust to dust.") 

Must I behold with tearful eyes 

This all-consuming sacrifice? 

Is there no "scape- goat" at command, 

No "voice'* — no power, to stay my hand, 

To save you from the wasting brand? 

One happy thought does courage give — 

If you're destroyed, your soul shall live! 

Such soulful thoughts can never burn — 
They're treasured in my heart's deep urn; 
The flames may have your body, blue, 
With written lines of sombre hue ; 
Envelope ? — yes, you may go, too ; 
While heavenward wends, in smoke, your 

heart. 
With me remains your better part! 



84 Love and Kisses* 



A VALENTINE. 

A dear old precious mother-bird, 
In dainty cap and stainless feather. 

Sat on a limb in leafless tree, 
In chilling February weather: 

Above her perch, the younger birds — 
In happy, gay and festive measure. 

Were reveling, with merry words 
Or twittering, in bird-like pleasure. 

(One never feels so much alone 
As when, in noisy throng he wends, 

With no heart throbbing to his own. 
And thinks on absent, loving friends.) 

She thought of one, whose noble heart 
Had, erstwhile, shared her cozy nest; 

And even now, his "better part," 
His spirit-presence, made her blest. 



A Valentine. 85 

"Alas! 'tis mating time!" she said; 

"The saddest day of all the year !" 
And solemnly she bowed her head. 

And silently she dropped a tear. 

"O Thon, who notes the sparrow's fate! 

Thy gifts we solemnize to-day ! 
In love, Thou gavest me a mate; 

In love, hast taken him away! 

"The richest blessing of my choice, 
Now blossoms in Thy hand divine? 

I wait the summons of Thy voice, 
To meet — in heaven — my valentine!'* 



86 Love and Kisses* 



TO MISS C.A.R.D. 

I know a woman, bright and fair, 

Indeed, a precious lump ; 
She's not a common kind of c.a.r.d, 

She's ev'ry inch a trump ! 

She's like a dainty pack of cards, 

All gilt-edge and complete ; 
Just such a pack as one should have. 

If he would play to beat." 

Queens and Kings, with crown and swords. 

She has at her command, 
And scatters hearts and diamonds 

Where'er she deals a hand. 

She's ready for an honest game. 

And plays it well enough; 
But never plays a naughty trick. 

Nor any kind of "bluff." 



To Miss CA*RJ>» 87 

She never trumps her partner's ace. 

Nor takes a chance at poker; 
She knows when to be whist ^ as well 

As when to be a joker. 

She shuffles with such perfect ease, 
And deals, with graceful air; 

You can but see the hand she gives, 
Is more than passing idXv, 

This pack has plenty of "court" cards, 

For which she has good use; 
But should one press a suit too far, 

Maybe he'd get the deuce. 

To her mind all mankind are "pards," 

x\nd all the world, a pack, 
And he who does not learn to play, 

Is but a sorry jack. 



88 Love and Kisses* 



LOVE'S IMMUNITY. 

Love goes, but never by command; 

'Tis free as air and light are free! 
It flies away o'er sea and land, 

To meet its true affinity. 

'Tis not controlled by bolts and bars, 

Nor yet confined to any sphere ; 
Its realm extends beyond the stars, 

Or culminates within a tear. 

Love's forts are never forced to yield, 

Nor ever taken as "by storm;" 
The heart is not a battlefield. 

Where cannon, sword, and warriors swarm. 

If you attempt, by force and greed. 

To rob the fortress of its own; 
The fort you may secure, indeed. 

But find that love, the prize, has flown. 



Love's Immumty* 89 

Love's armor is the gift of heaven! 

Of God in nature, grace and art! 
And all its weapons are God-given, 

To gird and fortify the heart! 

The stars may pale, and turn to dust, — 
The worlds to chaos change again; 

But 'midst all wreck and ruin, must 
The soul of love intact remain ! 



90 Love and Kisses* 



SUFFICIENT UNTO THE DAY. 

'Tis what we fear will come to pass, 
The trouble that we borrow, 

That makes us cowards all, alas! 
And intimate with sorrow. 

Anxieties, like locusts, swarm 

In yonder far-off sky. 
While not a shade of present harm 

Beclouds our path near-by. 

Oh, foolish ones, and slow of heart. 
To read life's simplest stories! 

To learn the lessons they impart. 
And shun the pains and worries! 

Sufficie*nt unto every day, 

Is each day's share of trouble, 

And he who looks too far away, 
May see his troubles double. 



New Yearns "Wishes* 9t 



NEW YEAR'S WISHES. 

May the new year unfold to you, 
Its wealth of blessing™ pure and true! 
Withhold its sorrows, sighs and tears, 
Its disappointments and its fears. 
And pour into your lap its store 
Of hoarded peace,"and joys galore! 
May adverse fortune bring no ill; 
May kindest friends be kinder still, 
May gentle word and loving smile, 
The time with tenderness beguile; 
And make this year, with mercies rife. 
The gladdest year of all your life! 



92 Love and Kisses* 



THE LAST COOKY IN THE BATCH. 

Ancient friend, I'll not abuse you, 

Sadly I deplore your fate ; 
Etiquette bids me refuse you, 

Poor, last cooky on the plate ! 

Modesty has quite undone you! 

At the bottom of the jar — 
There was naught to do but shun you, 

Buried in the depths so far! 

Once you were so young and tender. 
Now you're sallow, old and thin; 

Hoary age has served to render 

Coarse and tough, your tawny skin. 

Once you thought yourself the neatest, 
Fair and round and trim, to match ; 

Once you thought yourself the sweetest, 
Sweetest cooky in the batch! 



The Last Cooky m the Batch* 93 

In your youth you had rich savor ; 

Toothsome, dainty, nice and sweet; 
Now, you've lost your dulcet flavor ; 

Now, you're hardly fit to eat ! 

How I pity you, old fellow ! 

Sweetly silent and alone; 
Aged, wrinkled, hard and yellow; 

All your dear companions gone; 

Solitary, sad and dreary, 

Last exemplar of your race, 
Unlamented, love-lorn, weary, 

Get you hence and hide your face! 



94 Love and Kisses* 



THE ENAMOURED ROSE. 

''O, come to my bower!" to the bee said the 
flower; 

"The banquet is ready, Tm waiting for thee! 

My heart's wildly beating, it's welcome re- 
peating, 

E'er since the last time when you supped here 
with me. 

"They call me a rose ; why, nobody knows, 
Unless it's for fragrance, and beauty, and 

thorns! 
To me it's the same, whatever my name,' 
So long as your presence my glad life adorns. 

"Come, give me a kiss! your caresses I miss; 
All the sweetness within me now yearns for 

your sips! 
My breast opens wide, to take you inside, 
And feast you with nectar stored up for your 

lips ! 



The Enamoured Rose« 95 

"I was wild with delight, when you first met 
my sight, 

As you entered so softly, my half open door! 

I should be excused, if I seemed much con- 
fused, 

For I never had met any lover before. 

"O, that lovely Spring morn, when first I was 

born ! 
I opened my eyes in a shower-bath of dew. 
Intermingled with green and silver}' sheen, 
On a beautiful world, all spread out to my 

view! 

"My heart-strings were stirred by the first 

sound I heard, 
A rhythmical buzzing, harmonic and bland ; 
Like a wee serenade, by a honey-bee played, 
Or the musical notes of a fairy brass band! 

" 'Twas all very strange, so sudden the change. 
And all my surroundings, just then, seemed 

so queer; 
All at once, your bright face, illumined the 

place, 
Then, your shoulders, and delicate wings, did 

appear. 



96 Love and Kisses. 

"Another sweet kiss ; we will not count this ; 
I owe you one more, for the pollen, you bring; 
You must not think strange, of this fond in- 
terchange; 
Embrace me again; I've no fear of your sting! 

"That's the true way to live! get rich, as we 

give. 
As well as by ivhat we- receive, every hour ! 
I'll be millionaire, if you'll always deal fair, 
And only come often enough to my bower. 

"Ah, now! must we part? — well, — good-bye, 

— dear heart! 
I've enjoyed your brief stay, more than 

tongue can express! 
Do promise, before you pass out of my door, — 
You'll .return here again, in ten minutes — or 

less ; — 

"Rose life, is so brief, — I shall come to grief; 
Each moment — with me, — is as ten thousand 

years ! 
So I grasp, as it flies, each joy — ere it dies — 
And count it all bliss, — for I've no time for 

tears!" 



SoIitti<fe. 97 



SOLITUDE. 

As I sit in the twilight, a shadow comes o*er 
me — 

A feeling of sadness, depression and gloom; 

The skies — erstwhile bright — change to dark- 
ness before me. 

The voices of night seem as sounds from the 
tomb. 

'Tis not that poor health or ill luck has as- 
sailed me — 

That fortune has frowned, or friends proved 
untrue, 

Nor that some of my fond calculations have 
failed me — 

'Tis — I don't know just what — but somehow, 
I feel blue! 



98 Love and Kisses* 

'Tis Sabbath-day ev'ning; All nature around 

me 
is budding and blooming, — ^but all seems so 

still; 
The powers of darkness, at once, have so bound 

me — 
I cannot dispel nor resist them at will. 

I harbor no doubts nor cares, to oppress me — 

No thing to molest — or make me afraid. 

No debts, — nor aught of the kind — to distress 

me, 
No trouble with any, — man, woman, or maid; 

But speaking of woman, may serve to relieve 
me, 

Despondency may be engendered by this — 

When I think of it — ^now, (I beg you'll be- 
lieve me) 

'Tis twenty-four hours since Fve seen sweet 
Meliss ! 



Said Jamie to Bess* 99 



SAID JAMIE TO BESS. 

Said Jamie to Bess, "Would you think iit 

amiss 
If, in rapturous mood, I should take a sweet 

kiss ? 
You would miss it, of course ! Yes, I see your 

lip curled!" 
"Me, miss it!" — said Bessie, — "No! Not for 

the world!" 

LofC. 



too Love and Kisses. 



LINES TO NELLIE'S NEW GUITAR. 

My buxom, new-made friend, Guitar ; 

How very fortunate you are — 

To be consigned to Nellie's arms — 

A daily witness of her charms. 

About your neck her arm is laid, 

All the time you're being played. 

Think how often you will be 

Gently resting on her knee — 

While your comely form is pressed 

Closely to her throbbing breast — 

And round her neck your scarf of blue! 

How I envy, envy you ! 

Think, — when tip of dainty fingers. 

Firmly on your larynx lingers; — 

Think, — as each fond finger clings 

Tightly to your bosom-strings 

And your vocal chords rejoice 

In harmony with her sweet voice, — 



Dncs to Nellie's New Guitar. tOi 

Think, I beg you! meditate 

Upon your happy, happy fate!— - 

How delightful it will be, — 

Joining in her minstrelsy! 

Thank your lucky, lucky star-^ 

That you were ever born, — Guitar! 

Be not prudish overmuch, — 

But responsive to her touch. 

If, at times, she twist your ears, 

Be not offended, — have no^ fears; 

You'll realize it very soon — 

You're nicest when in perfect tune, — 

And it were better, better far, 

To be a well-behaved guitar. 

Swell the scale from A to Z, 

With your choicest melody! 

Let your proudest powers combine 

To sound in tones almost divine; 

Thus will you serve her best, the while 

You win her most approving smile. 



102 Love and Kisses* 



A REVERIE. 

I wish I could recall the day, 
When first I saw your precious face; 
There must have been some potent charm 
About that sacred time, and place. 

The hour when first you welcomed me — 
The moment, when our eyes first met — 
There should have been some magic spell, 
Which yearning souls could not forget. 

The cordial glance, the cheery smile, 
The clasp of hand — the coy, first touch — 
How little it all seemed to mean, 
While really it meant so much. 

I wot not if the day was fair — 
With zephyrs soft, and skies serene — 
Or if the heavens were dimly clad; 
.If fields were waste, or rich with green. 



A Revefic JOS 

How wonderful, that such an hour — 
So fraught with all that makes life sweet — 
Could be, without the occult power 
To mark — when kindred spirits meet! 

If we could then but have foreseen, 
What coming years would bring to view, 
What happiness had filled that hour — 
How strangely sweet, to me and you! 

But possibly 'twere better thus — 
Each joy unfolding — ^one by one — 
Each step an added sweet surprise — 
Till life be past, and heaven is won. 



104 Love and Kisses* 



YOU LOVE ME IN MY DREAMS. 

I see you in my dreams, Meliss, 

In sweet and winsome guise, 

With smiling face, and gracious mien — 

With love-Hght in your eyes. 

Your gentle nature warms my heart 

With tender thoughts — galore; 

You love me — -in my dreams, Meliss, 

I ask for nothing more. 

We walk together, hand in hand, 
We sit in leafy bowers. 
We drink from pure, refreshing springs- 
Mid redolence of flowers. 
We watch the birds upon the wing, — 
The bees, while at their task; — 
You love me — in my dreams, Meliss, 
'Tis all I dare to ask. 



Yoa Love Me m My Dreams. 105 

We ramble over pastures, green; — 
Recline beneath the shade; — 
Together climb the mountain side, 
And wander through the glade; 
Together, rest on mossy banks. 
By pure. Arcadian streams; — 
Be as you will in waking hours — 
You love me — in my dreams ! 

My dreams are luminous, Meliss, 
There's no obscureness there; 
Where'er you are, 'tis always day — 
And ever bright and fair; 
Your smile makes all things radiant — 
Where darkness else would be; 
You love me — in my dreams, Meliss — 
And I? — I worship thee! 



t06 Love and Kisses* 



WILL WE, TOGETHER? 

When we shall leave this world of care, 
And don such robes as angels wear — 
Beyond the reach of mortal ken — 
Say, will we know each other, then? 

Will we? 

Will we, as now, together stand — 
Clasping each the other's hand — 
And, looking in each other's eyes, 
Each other, fondly recognize? 

And will we there, together, stray 
Among the stars? Together pray? 
Together, tread the mansions fair. 
Together, greet out loved ones, there? 

Together, walk the streets of gold, 
Together, precious thoughts unfold. 
Together ramble, hand in hand, 
Amongst the blessed angel band, — 

Will we? 



Will Wc, Together? 107 

Together, view the heavenly scene. 
Together, rove the fields of green. 
Together, pluck the flowers, sweet. 
That bloom eternal, at our feet? 

Together sit, by living streams, 
Together, realize our dreams, 
Together, rest beneath the shade 
Of verdure that can never fade ? 

"Water of life," together, drink, 
Together stand, on Canaan's brink. 
Together, "view the landscape o'er," 
Together dwell, forevermore, 

.Will we? 



t08 Love and Kisses* 



WISHES. 

There are wishes and wishes, and wishes 

galore ; 
As many as stars in the heavens, or more ; 
But of all the sweet wishes, to me the most 

dear. 
Is the wish for the absent — "I wish he were 

here!" 

I wish him "good day," "good luck," or 

"much joy," 
Health, wealth, and happiness without alloy — 
"A bright, merry Christmias," "A happy New 

Year!" 
None voice the lone heart — like "I wish he 

were here!" 



Wishes. i09 

When lonely hours come and loved friends 

are away, 
To remain for a month, or a week, or a day — 
The heart seems deserted, devoid of all cheer, 
And the language of love is **I wish he were 

here." 

Take, for instance, the case of a husband from 

home — 
If the right sort of man, he prefers not to 

roam — 
And the right sort of wife, I think it is clear — 
Is oftentimes thinking, "I wish he were here!" 

The same is the case with the love-stricken 

maid. 
As she lies in the hammock, or sits in the 

shade — 
Pretending to read or to sew — while — I fear 
Her fond heart is sighing — "I wish he were 

here!" 

Only one letter added, makes change in the 

sex — 
Alters conditions, and makes it complex — 
The words intermingle with accent so queer — 
I wish she were here — "I wish he were here!" 



ifO Love and Kisses* 

Whichever way it happens — ^when lone hours 

come — 
Whether she is away, or he's not at home — 
.Whether "lover'' or "sweetheart" — it need not 

appear — 
The same words express it — "I wish (s)he 

were here." 

In seasons of joy or sorrow or woe, 

If the soul be bowed down or the heart all 

aglow — 
Whether laughter abounds, or the eye drops a 

tear — 
The sense of the heart is, "I wish (s)he were 

here." 



I, TifeofThec! ttt 



I, TIRE OF THEE! 

Yes! — when flowers tire of early dew; — 
When song-birds tire of heaven's blue; — 
When thirsty meadows tire of showers; — 
When thrifty gardens tire of flowers; — 
When Summer tires of warmth and light ;- 
When nature tires of day and night; — 
When conquering heroes tire of scars; — 
When evening tires of moon and stars; — 
When parsimony tires of wealth ; — 
When active manhood tires of health ; — 
When health and vigor tire of youth; — 
When right and reason tire of truth; — 
When misers tire of riches given; — 
When truth and virtue tire of heaven; — 
When ocean tires of wind and wave; — 
When mercy tires of souls to save; — • 
When breezes tire, on land and sea; — 
Then, dearest wife, I'll tire of thee ! 



it2 Love and Kisses* 



THEIR OPINION OF ME. 

I value my friends for their; probity rare, 
And praise their good points, which are easy 
to see, 
But I never have found any friend yet, who 
dare 
To tell me his secret opinion of me. 

There's my friend Charlie H. and m_y friend 
Joseph L. — 
And last, though not least, my good friend 
Harry B. 
I know my opinion of them, very well, 
But never may know their opinion of me. 

Among lady friends, if you ask me to choose. 
The one I most value, is charming Miss 

v.— 

And I'd willingly give all my old boots and 
shoes, 
In exchange for her private opinion of me. 



Their Opinion of Mc* JJS 

There's my lawyer, my doctor, my partner, 
my wife; 
To each one in turn, I'm a fair devotee ; 
But, unless for the purpose of saving my life, 
I doubt if they'd tell all they think about 
me. 



n4 Love and Kisses* 



WHERE THE BROOK AND RIVER 

MEET. 

Sweet Maude has reached her eighteenth year ; 

Time now will speed on nimble feet; 
She smiling stands, without one fear, 

Just where the brook and river meet. 

Her life thus far has been a dream. 
With every wish fulfilled complete ; 

She's paddled gaily down the stream 
To where the brook and river meet. 

But now she looks with eager eye, 
And anxious wish, to be discreet; 

She scans the future wistfully — 

From where the brook and river meet. 

She hesitates upon the brink 

From which there can be no retreat, \ 
Alert to move, yet slow to think — *^ 

She's where the brook and river meet. 



Wh&tc the Bfook and River Meet« tt5 

She lifts her heart in prayer profound, 
And Heaven comes, her soul to greet, 

While guardian angels hover round 
The spot, where brook and river meet. 



ti6 Love and Kisses* 



GOD BLESS YOU! 

God bless you for the smiles, dear wife;- 

The smiles of winsome grace 
That daily, ever and anon, 

Illume your precious face ! 
The love-light in your eyes, sweet wife, 

Each gloomy thought beguiles; 
And gratitude begets the prayer — 

"God bless you for your smiles!" 

God bless you for your patience, dear — 

With me, from day to day; — 
Your trustfulness and hopefulness. 

Do much to smooth life's way; 
Your perfect faith, would mountains 

Of anxiety remove 
Into a sea of sweet content! 

God bless your patient love! 



God Bless You! U7 

In every hour of sadness — 

Of weariness, or pain — 
Your ever-ready sympathy 

Revives my heart again. 
Your kindly look, your gentle touch, 

Soothes every aching smart ; 
I cherish your affection, dear, — 

God bless your gentle heart! 

God bless your sweet forgetfulness 

Of all my petty faults; — 
(Who most of sin forgives, my dear, 

The sinner most exalts!) 
But — 'mongst the things which you forget, 

I beg you, don't embrace 
My grateful benediction, — 

"God bless your pard'ning grace !" 



Its Love and Kisses6 



OTHEBS. 

On one of our streets there's a race of queer 
Bs,— 

They Hve in a brick hive, — well shaded by 
trees ; 

If they have any stings, no one has yet found 
them, — 

So their friends remain constant, — with noth- 
ing to wound them. 

While all other bees seem to live on their 

honey. 
This tribe of quaint Bs, mostly live by their 

money. 
While other bees always do swarm — if they 

thrive, — 
This nest of bees stay at home in their hive. 



O the Bs. U9 

In this hive of odd Bs, there is only one 

Can be called a male B, — and he's not a 

"drone;" 
The young "queen" who rules in the hive, is a 

she-B, — 
And yet, — by her beauty and grace, — she's a 

Hebe. 



This family of Bs go about without wings, 
And one of their number exquisitely sings ; 
I know her quite well, — as well as I can 

know ; — 
She not only sings, — she plays the piano. 



She plays games at cards, — shuffles and 
deals — 

And, though not a cripple, she travels "on 
wheels." 

She makes up no honey, nor bee-bread, at 
home, 

But is certainly well-bred, and has a shell- 
comb. 



(20 Love and Kisses* 

While other bees go to the flowers they prefer, 
In her case the flowers themselves go to her. 
It's a funny condition of things, as you see; 
These Bs, — so ^^witching, — have quite he- 
witched me. 

They keep up a buzzing, and such a sweet 
humming, — 

^^deck and bedazzle, — &^have so t^coming, — 

One must be content and &^nign, as you 
know — 

When treated with care, such as these Bs be- 
stow. 



If I Had Never Met You* 121 



IF I HAD NEVER MET YOU. 

If I had never met you, dear, 

My life would not have been complete; — 
One's life depends so largely, on 

Companionship with those we meet; — 
If you had never crossed my path, 

The way through life would have been 
drear. 
And fraught with countless lonely hours, 

If I had never met you, dear! 

If I had never met you, dear, — 

Your precious face had never seen, — 
The world would not have seemed so fair, — 

The flowers so sweet — the grass so green; 
My very dreams would vapid be 

If in them you did not appear; 
And waking hours would have no charm 

If I had never met you, dear ! 



122 Love and Elisses* 

If I had never met you, dear. 

Nor learned the language of your eyes, 
Nor touched your hand, nor pressed your lips- 

Where soundless depth of sweetness lies- 
Nor seen the smile on your bright face. 

This world would all be dark, I fear; 
My light of life would be obscure 

If I had never met you, dear! 

If I had never met you, dear. 

My life would be one tangled maze — 
With no congenial spirit near, — 

No answering look to meet my gaze; — • 
No gentle voice, no fond caress. 

No love, no sympathetic tear ; 
No joy, no peace, no happiness— 

If I had never met you, dear! 

If I had never met you, dear, 

I dread to think what fate were mine ; 
My heart would shrink from paying vows 

At any other earthly shrine; 
At the sweet altar of your love, 

I worship now with praise sincere; 
There' d be no heaven anywhere 

If I had never met you, dear ! 



Mary ^nd Her Bike* 123 



MARY AND HER BIKE. 

Mary had a little bike, 

Its rubber tires were hollow, 
And everywhere that Mary went. 

Her bike was sure to follow. 

It followed her down town, one day — 

It was against the rule, — 
And ere it ambled half the way. 
It ran against a mule; 

The mule, he smiled, and raised his hoof- 
And "winked his other eye," — 

And then, her bike, it followed her — 
To mansions in the sky. 



124 Love and Kisses* 



QUE VOULEZ-VOUS? 

A Frenchman, who was creditor — 
To customer, — ten louis d'or — 
And vainly sought him, many times, 
Addressed the concierge in rimes. 

*'How ees it? — Vhen I here, before, 
You boldly stop me at ze door — 
(You think me green like one pea-soup?) 
And say, 'Monsieur, he ees not oup!' 

"And now, vhen I am come again, 
You hesitate, wiz look of pain, 
And, eyeing me wiz angry frown. 
You say, 'Monsieur, he ees not down!* 

"Vhat ees it, zat you me for take? 
He must be sleeping, or awake! 
I can no dance to all your f eedle ! 
Say, vhen will he be in ze meedle?" 



The Drop of Dew. 125 



THE DROP OF DEW. 

Miss "Dewy-eve" — Dame Nature's child- 
Who wept as often as she smiled, — 
Let fall a tear in ocean blue, — 
The tear was called "a drop of dew." 

At Neptune's door the nursling lay. 
And would have lain till break of day — 
But Father Neptune took it in, 
As if it were his kith and kin. 

Gently he claisped the little waif 
In his broad arms, and held it safe; 
And soon the infant went to sleep — 
**Rocked in the cradle of the deep." 

It oped its eyes in early morn — 
As children do when first they're born — 
And gazed about in mute surprise — 
Then raised to heaven its feeble cries. 



i26 Love and Kisses* 

Just then old Neptune called his wife 
To view this latest form of life 
That had appeared in his domain: — 
Resembling much, his old friend, Rain. 

Said Mrs. Nep, 'T do declare! 
Here now, is something quaint, and rare,- 
Without the faintest stain of brine! 
The little tot must be divine ! 



"Its hands, its feet, its dimpled chin, 
Show not the slightest taint of sin; 
Behold! Its cheeks, its lips, its eyes, 
Reflect the beauties of the skies!" 

"In all my realm I've never seen 
So pure a mite of crystal sheen — 
A drop so clear and delicate — 
It surely is immaculate!" 

She hailed her girls that round her play — r 
A sprightly band, styled "Ocean-spray,"— 
One by one they took a peek. 
And vowed the limpid form unique. 



The Drop of Dew* ill 

And would have kissed it then and there — 
But Mother Nep cried out "Beware! 
Soil not its form with mundane breath — - 
One mild caress might cause its death !" 

Said one, "Let's take it for a ride ! — 
The wind is high, likewise the tid^ ! — 
To give it joy, we'll do our be«t — 
We'll mount it on a billow's crest!" 



Away they rode, — the wind blew hard, — 
They gathered round it — as a guard — 
They raced, and romped, in childish glee, 
O'er highest waves on wildest sea. 

Now, while these scenes were taking place, 
Old Sol arose — with smiling face — 
And — glancing hurriedly around — 
Descried the waif old Nep had found. 

And recognized it — on the spot — 
As one by Deviy-eve begot, 
And guessed just what had taken place, 
To cause the tot to fall from grace. 



128 Love and Kisses* 

And summoning his fleetest team — 

Attached it to a sunny-beam 
That hastened down to billows'-crest 
And captured Neptune's tiny guest, 

And changed its form to vapor light, 
And so 'twas kept until the night, 
Then once again it did appear — 
Reincarnated — in a tear. 



^^Thoti Shalt Not Steals J29 



"THOU SHALT NOT STEAL!" 

"Thou shalt not steal!" So reads the law, 

both human and divine. 
Thou shalt not surreptitiously 

take aught that is not thine! 
And yet, she's ta'en away my heart, 

and left not hers instead ! 
By turns, she "steals awhile away" 

my heart, and then, my head ! 

When I descry, beneath her veil, 

the lips it would conceal; 
I wish it might not be a theft, 

to just "break through and steal !" 
Her glossy, raven tresses — 

luxuriant and thick — 
I sigh to be the burglar bold, 

that dares those locks to pick! 



S30 Love and Kisses* 

And, as I steal quick glances, 

and note her sweet surprise, 
Does she account it merely 

as a case of "hook and eyes" ? 
And when her cheeks — so fresh and fair- 

my eager eye observes, 
I wonder if she knows I ache 

to steal her peach-preserves? 

"Thou shalt not steal!" O my! It makes 

me tremble, just to think — 
The guilty culprit I may be, — 

now standing on the brink 
Of Sinai's awful precipice — 

and knowing to the fact ! 
An eager, anxious, loving, trembling — 

clep-to-ma-ni-ac ! 



The Photogffaph. J3J 



THE PHOTOGRAPH. 

I have a secret, Genevieve, 
Which I will tell to you; 

'Twill be no less a secret 

When shared between us two, — 

For, what is treasured in your heart, 
Is buried there to stay 

And ne'er again be brought to light- 
Till resurrection day. 

'Tis such a pleasing mystery, 

So fraught with blissful charm — 
So copious in sweet results. 

Without the slightest harm — 
I'm sure you'll quite agree with me 

And praise my tact, as well; 
I don't exact a promise. 

For I'm sure you'll never tell. 



132 Love and Kisses* 

You know the darling photograph 

You gave to sister Sue, — 
The most bewitching image 

I ever saw, of you, — 
With smiHng face and shining eyes 

And graceful poise of head? 
That precious prize, suspended hangs 

Beside my folding bed; — 

And every night, ere I retire 

To get my needed rest. 
Two lips are fondly, tenderly 

And ardently impressed 
Upon the semblance of your own — 

So tempting and so fair, — 
Forgive me, dearest, if I err, — 

I meet no censure there. 

And when at morn I ope mine eyes, 

The vision still remains 
And smiles upon me from above — 

And I could swear, it feigns 
To beckon me in mute appeal, — 

As if it wished to say, 
"I don't count those you had last night,- 

Begin afresh to-day!" 



The Photogfraph* 133 

Think you, I manage to resist 

This witchery in art? 
Not so, my dear, I can't desist, — 

Why should I starve my heart? 
With no one near to interrupt — 

No curious form to pry — 
I bow before that guileless shrine, — 

The semblance of your eye. 

I don't pretend, dear Genevieve, 

The thrill is near so sweet 
As when, in life, your lips and mine 

In osculation meet. 
But, oft in life, we measure joy 

By what, to us, it seems ! 
'Tis thus we sometimes realize 

Such ecstacy in dreams ! 

Full half the joys of life, are mere 

Imaginary bliss, 
And who shall say, "There's naught, in an 

Imaginary kiss ?" 
Temptations come to all of us — 

Since Father Adam's fall — 
And never one more sweet, than this 

Chaste picture — on the wall. 



J 34 Love and Kisses* 



A VALENTINE. 

Would'st know what book I like the best, 

And scan with deepest interest, 

And reading, find my love increased 

Till life is made a blessed feast? 

No other book e'er had such art 

To charm and captivate my heart. 

'Tis poetry and prose combined. 

The purest, sweetest, choicest kind; 

Every chapter, page and verse. 

Is richer than a miser's purse; 

The more I study it, the more 

I prize its wealth of precious lore. 

A book so noble, good and true, 

'Twere worth a world to read it through. 

Its worthy author never can 

Be fully known by mortal man. 

'Tis never found on stand or shelf; 

Its author God! The book? yourself. 



Love Has No Ni^ht J35 



LOVE HAS NO NIGHT. 

Would'st paint, with artist's pen or brush 
Love's early dawn, its faint, first blush? 
Its speechless thrill, its soulful hush? 

Would'st paint love's midday calm and bright 
With earnest mien, and warmer light, 
Its growing faith and clearer sight? 

Love's evening, would'st thou fain portray 
When riper grown at close of day 
When all its powers are in full sway? 

Would'st paint love's night, that follows even ? 
No night to love was ever given! 
It has no night, for love is heaven! 



(3^ Love and Kisses* 



LINES TO A KISS. 

You fleeting, flitting, flirting thing, 

Flying round on unseen wing, 

Fraught with pleasure sweetly crescent; 

Why so sadly evanescent? 

Now on cheek, now on lips, 

Now on hand or finger-tips, 

Petting, soothing, fondly pressing, 

Thrilling, wooing and caressing — 

Dearest mite of airy something 

Ever conjured out of nothing — 

Why in blushes coyly hiding? 

Why not constant and abiding? 

Always taking, always giving, 

Yet on borrowed sweetness living — 

In your life of blissful glory, 

Why so brief and transitory? 

At first you're one made out of two, 

And mayhap, ere your life is through* 



Lines to a Kiss. S37 

You've merged into so many more 

That one could count you by the score. 

('Tis meet that pleasures beatific. 

Should be so charmingly prolific!) 

You're barely come, before you're gone — 

With all your sweet life thrived upon — 

Your flavor vanished from the taste, 

And life again a barren waste. 

(How sad, that joys the very sweetest 

Should ever be of joys the fleetest!) 

Why not leave something, ere your flying. 

Permanently satisfying ? 

You're scarcely born, when lo! you're dead — 

And all your magic sweetness fled ! 

Dead ? Yes, to sense, but still you'll be 

Alive in fondest memory I 

Now, when from worldly taint you're freed, 

Your epitaph like this should read — 

''Here lies the soul of earthly bliss — 

The memory of a perfect kiss." 



i3& Love and Kisses* 



IE MAN WERE ALWAYS KIND. 

What happiness would fill the earth — 
What peace, what joy refined — 

If human nature had no fault 
And man were always kind. 

How many barren, cheerless hearts, 

To fate now unresigned, 
Would "bud arid blossom as the rose," 

If man were always kind. 

Pain and sorrow, toil and care. 

With poverty combined. 
Would lose their power to sway the soul, 

If man were always kind. 

Our troubles thus would lighter seem 

Our clouds be silver-lined. 
Our lives more faithful, fond and true 

If man were always kind. 



If Man Were Always Kind J39 

Serenity would crown the hours. 

Contentment fill the mind, 
And every pathway lead to flowers. 

If man were always kind. 

A joy surpassing sweetest thouglit,^ 

A love that is not blind, — 
Would animate the universe. 

If man were always kind. 

All things would seem harmonious, — 

As first by God designed, — 
And heaven and nature jubilate. 

If man were always kind. 



HO Love and Kisses* 



MY RIVAL. 

Last night a fellow came to town, 

A stranger, quite to me; 
But wife, she loved him at first sight, 

As fondly as could be. 

He called upon her right away, 
And used such winning art. 

That though he hadn't much to say, 
He quickly won her heart. 

You see, she's quite susceptible — 

Impulsive-like, and so 
It looks like I might get the slip. 

And she another beau. 

He's something of a pugilist. 

And likely, I suppose, — 
If I continue in the ring — 

To break my precious nose. 



My Rival. Hi 

It makes me feel so mortified, 

Embarrassed, small and mean, — 

Since we have loved each other so — 
To have him come between. 



She says that I am envious 
And jealous of his charms; 

Who wouldn't be, if he could see 
This rival in her arms ? 

He just a-cuddling up to her, 
She snuggling up to him? 

She never was so sweet on me 
Since first she called me Jim ! 

He didn't bring a recommend — 

Nor wear a stylish suit ; 
And as to any reference. 

The fellow, he is mute. 

Mute, did I say? I'li take it back- 
If mute is what I said ; — 

Just now he's making noise enough 
To wake the sleeping dead ! 



J42 Love and Kisses* 

What shall I do? Where can I go 
For peace? Aye, there's the rub! 

She's welcome to this hurricane! 
I'll hie me to the club ! 



Why Not (Varum Nicht) ? J43 



WHY NOT (WARUM NICHT) ? 

I gave my pretty sweetheart Maude, 

A kiss upon her rosy Hps. 
And as I turned, the dainty fraud 

Erased it with her finger-tips. 

Said I, "My dear, why treat me thus — 
As if my kisses were a sin?" 

Said she, "Now don't you make a fuss- 
That's just my way to rub 'em in !" 



X44 Love and Kisses* 



THE COQUETTE. 

Her heart, like a kite that is borne on the 

breeze, 
Flies hither and yon, like a bird ill at ease. 
It flirts and coquettes, like a merry, wild thing, 
Yet I know it is mine, for I'm holding the 

string. 
I feel its attraction, I sense every move 
That would draw me still nearer the object I 

love. 



Love Is Every thingf* J 45 



LOVE IS EVERYTHING. 

Love's the grain, love's the sickle. 
Love's the acid, love's the pickle. 
Love's the mint, and love's the nickel — 

Love is everything. 
Love's the pain, love's the pleasure. 
Love's the seed, and love's the measure. 
Love's the casket, love's the treasure, — 

Love is everything. 



t46 Love and Kisses* 



AH, HUM! 

She loved, but never told her love 

The smallest crumb — 
Except with eyes and fond caress. 
Or pensive sighs of tenderness — 

Her lips were dumb. 

She loved, but never told her love — • 

She kept it mum. 
Her lips were sealed — the truth to smoker. 
For she was married to another — 

Ah, hum ! 



The Chapetone of the Stars* 147 



THE CHAPERONE OF THE STARS. 

The queen of night — the waning moon — 
Took her departure none too soon. 
The wandering stars, ere she was gone, 
Threw kisses to their chaperone. 
Each radiant star waved her adieu, 
As gracefully she passed from view. 



148 Love and Kisses* 



THE MOTHER KISS. 
(a soliloquy.) 

'On early morning when I rise, 

I play bo-peep with baby's eyes; 
And if I wish for aught to eat 

I take my fill of sweety-sweet — 
Also my drink — in luscious sips 

From baby's rosy-posy lips. 
And when I wish to seek repose, 

I nestle under baby's nose. 
And fondly tuck my little head 

In baby's two-lip folding-bed." 



^J6— to— J*^ U9 



"i6— TO— I." 

When Maude was sixteen she had plenty of 

beaux, 
And thought herself smitten with one. (But 

who knows?) 
Said I, "Why not marry them all?" (just in 

fun)— 
Said she, "I am only sweet sixteen to one." 



150 Love and Kisses* 



LOVE'S FOLDING-BED. 

A dainty thing, love's folding-bed ; 

Composed of two lips — soft and red- 
And sweet with fragrant blisses. 

A thousand fairies rest within — 
Whom to disturb might be a sin : — 

'Tis full of sleeping kisses ! 

While slumbering in this rosy bower — 
Unconscious of their occult power- — 

No evil can overtake them ; 

But who can tell the good or ill 

That might the bosom rend or thrill, 
Of him that dares to wake them ? 



A Love Songf* i5t 



A LOVE SONG. 

Abide with me ! The night is dark, 
The wind goes moaning o'er the lea ; 

The granite boulders, strong and stark. 
Fling back weird echoes froni the sea. 

Abide with me ! My heart is sad, 
My soul is crying out for thee ! 

Thy presence near shall make me glad ! 
Abide, sweet love, abide with me ! 

Abide with me, — thy hand in mine. 
Thy face a mirrored heaven above, 

And thy dear eyes with rays divine 
Reflecting my unchanging love. 

Abide with me, thou peerless one ! 

I crave thee, need thee every hour ; — 
As drooping flowerets crave the sun. 

As stinted streamlets need the shower. 



152 Love and Kisses* 

I faint and falter by the way, 

Without thy loving presence near ; 

Thy smile can drive all clouds away ; 
Abide with me, my precious dear. 

I need thee morning, noon arid night, 

Through all the weeks and months and 
years ! 

When thou art absent from my sight 
There's nothing left to me but tears ! 

My eyes are blinded by their flow ; — 
My heart is weeping, too, my sweet ; — 

No other soul than thine shall know 
The love I lay at thy dear feet. 



A Nymph at the Bath. J53 



A NYMPH AT THE BATH. 

A nymph at the bath is wee Dautto, the fair ; 
With eyes Hke two sapphires, and curls of 

blonde hair; 
She's a picture that mortals and gods might 

behold 
With pride, as she shakes her bright ringlets of 

gold. 

The dimples and kiss-spots her plump form dis- 
closes. 
Are plenty as buds on a bush of wild roses. 
They flourish on cheeks, on hands, in her hair, 
On her neck, on her shoulders, and everywhere. 

I fill them with kisses — e'en down to her toes, 
Then pat her and pet her and put on her clothes. 



(54 Love and Kisses* 



A TRUE KISS. 

A true kiss is a child of art ; 

Born on the lips, but conceived in the heart ; 

God's link of the diviner part 

With human : 

The dawn of love, the end of strife — 

The seal of peace twixt man and wife — 

It owes its origin and life — to Woman. 



Christmas Greetings* 155 



CHRISTMAS GREETING. 

May loving friends — the chosen few 
Whose loyalty has proved them true — 
Be ever ready, ever near, 
To serve you, through the coming year. 
Load on load, may blessings come 
To cheer your heart and fill your home. 
May Santa Claus, the dear old man, 
Approach you with his load and span 
And fill your cup so full of joys 
That diamond mines will seem but toys 
Compared vath all the wealth of bliss 
That makes your stock of happiness. 



i56 Love and Kisses* 



A SPRING MITTEN. 

Said Spring to Winter, ''Dear old boy, 
I much regret I must annoy 
An aged pilgrim like yourself, 
By laying him upon the shelf; 
I know you're very sensitive, 
And think you haven't long to live. 
And so you claim the sympathy 
Of tender-hearted souls like me; — 
But, truth to tell, I'm weary, quite, 
And strongly wish you out of sight. 
You've lingered in my lap too long. 
So listen to my parting song. 
Don't think, because I've let you stand 
So near my side, and hold my hand. 
That you could ever win my heart ! 
Ah, no, old boy ; I'm quite too smart, 
To be inveigled by your chaff : — 
The mere suggestion makes me laugh ! 



A Spring Mitten* 157 

Although you're brave and strong and bold, 

You're much too aged and too cold ; 

So save yourself a lover's woes 

And don't, I beg you, don't propose ! 

Please get you hence, and hide your face, — 

This dallying is a disgrace ; — 

'Twill compromise me in the eyes 

Of one whom I more dearly prize; — 

If you remain — I tell you true — 

I'll make it very warm for you! 

For I am pledged to yield my charms 

Into my sweetheart Summer's arms. 

So, fare thee well, and haste away, 

And die, to live another day." 



t5S Love and Kisses* 



AN ELEVATOR EPISODE. 

'Twas in a down- town business lift, 
That sped its course both sure and swift 

From top to bottom floor. 
A lady came in hasty mood, 

And with her back to me, she stood 
Beside me, near the door. 

Within this dimly lighted place 

I scanned her dress, her form, her face. 

And thought I knew her well. 

She didn't speak — as well she might — 

And instantly I felt the slight — 
My spirits quickly fell. 

And as she stood with face serene 
And nothing there to intervene — 

And thinking it no harm ; 

A sweet surprise I quickly planned ; 

I playfully put forth my hand 
And slyly pinched her arm. 



An Elevator Episode* f59 

She turned about with such a look, 
I knew at once I had mistook — 

Had carried things too far. 

The Hft now stopped with sullen sound 

But I seemed going down and down — 
I'd gotten such a jar ! 

I begged her pardon o'er and o'er — 
Apologized! What could I more? 

And then she said quite pat, 

With roguish look and accent kind— 

"Don't worry, sir ! I do not mind 
A little thing like that !" 



160 Love and Kisses* 



THE ILL-FATED KISSLET. 

I'm an unhappy kisslet, and this is my plaint; 
(I pose as a martyr, and not as a saint), 
I've had such abuse as entitles my heirs 
To a large life-long pension, by way of repairs. 
But to come to the point, without waste of time, 
For circumlocution is worse than poor rhyme. 
'Twas at a reception of ladies one day, 
A bridal reception, just over the way. 
On the lips of a woman, I made my debut, 
As fresh and delicious as heavenly dew. 
On meeting the bride, I flew to her lips. 
And nestled there fondly, enjoying sweet sips. 
When quick came another, another, another. 
In rapid succession that threatened to smother 
My poor little life in a maelstrom of blisses. 
And bury my form 'neath a mountain of kisses. 
On, on; like a swarm of wild bees, still they 

came. 
Until little was left of poor me but a name ; 



The III-Fated Kisslet i6t 

'Twas lucky for me that I hadn't some bones, 
To be crushed to fine dust, by; the kiss of Miss 

Jones, 
And the ponderous smacks of Miss Brown and 

Miss Hall, 
That came like a whirlwind, no let up at all ! 
Such kisses; some tender, some gushing, some 

cold, 
Some formal, some pressing, some shy and 

some bold ; 
Some moist and some dry; some long and 

some short; 
A conglomeration of every sort ! 
In grim desperation, I struggled, with might. 
To sever myself from this osculant plight, 
Succeeding at length by a very tight squeeze, 
I tumbled, exhausted, away to the breeze. 
So many times buried alive, in the past, 
I'm grateful to be resurrected at last, 
I'll never attend a reception again, 
Unless it may be a reception for men! 



162 Love and Kisses* 



A VALENTINE. 

The most perplexing time of year — 
The mating-time, — has come again ; 

What shall I say to you, my dear ? — 
I see you're still without a swain! 

When last I offered you my hand, — 

"With thanks," you gracefully declined, 

But nothing daunted — here I stand, — 

In hopes that you have changed your mind ! 

While change is written on the face 

Of everything in earth and sea, 
It cannot be thought out of place, 

That change should come to you and me. 

My love for you, but stronger grown. 
Remains in all respects the same; 

With other changes you have known, 

Please add but this one — change your name ! 



A Valentine* J 63 

Retain your own name, if you choose, 

But let it be prefixed to mine ! 
Thus, surely, you will nothing lose, 

And I will gain — a valentine. 



{64 Love and Kisses* 



WOMAN. 

Women, like earth's fairest flowers, 
It matters not what sky's above them, 
Thrive the best through all the hours. 
And blossom best for those who love them. 
While men, their selfish nature prove 
By clinging most to what they love. 



I Wonder How They Do It! i65 



I WONDER HOW THEY DO IT! 

My neighbor, Brown, in *'Real Estate,' 
Complains that trade is dull of late. 
That ^'money's very hard to get!" 
('Tis hinted, he is deep in debt!) 
His wife assumes Parisian airs, 
And gives to all the church affairs. 
Her dresses are quite a la mode; 
He drives the best horse on the road, 
I wonder how they do it! 

There's Mr. D. and his sweet wife. 
Have lived in clover all their life ; 
He's out of work — with small income. 
They lately had to sell their home; 
Her jewels are of finest rank, 
And he has money in the bank ; 
In dress they wear the nicest stuff. 
And always seem to have enough ; 
I wonder how they do it! 



t66 Love and Kisses* 

My neighbor, Jones, in "Boots and Shoes/ 

Is short in everything but blues. 

For hides are high, and leather low, 

And business is going slow; 

He lives in house of fine brown stone, 

The envy of 'most everyone; 

She rides behind two prancing greys, 

Gives parties every ninety days; 

I wonder how they do it! 

Scores of unemployed, I meet 
Daily in the crowded street, 
Moving, aimless, scarcely knowing 
When, or why, or where they're going — 
Contented countenance they wear. 
Without a sign of grief or care ; 
Well clothed, and seemingly well fed, 
Well housed, with doubtless each a bed; 
I wonder how they do it ! 



Seasonable Admonition* t67 



SEASONABLE ADMONITION. 

Said Spring to Summer, on a time 
In very simple, easy rhyme: 
"Why is it that you've grov^n so bold? 
You're not so prudent as of old; 
You used to stay, and sleep, and doze 
Until I'd come and tweak your nose. 
And waken you to spring-like charms, 
To bid you farewe'l in my arms; 
And then so tenderly you'd woo 
With gentle kindness, pure and true. 
And love and sympathy impart. 
Until you'd fairly won my heart. 
But now, you rouse from soundest nap, 
And rudely rush into my lap 
Without reason or pretext ; 
I wonder what you won't do next; 
Please don't forget that I have rights, 
My rainy days, and cooler nights. 
To bring all flowers and fruit to the 
Perfection of maturity. 



i6S Love and Kisses* 

I therefore say, I feel quite sure 
Your coming now is premature; 
You wake the seeds and buds too soon, 
And give them too much heat at noon; 
This may be well for streams and rills. 
For marigolds and daffodils; 
But for the more important fruit 
This kind of treatment does not suit; 
And how do you know that I might 
Not bring a killing frost some night, 
And blight your nurselings with its breath, 
And all your work meet sudden death? 
Take warning then, before too late, 
*The best things come to those who wait/ 
So bide your time, and don't impugn 
My motive now, but come in June." 



Dark Night. 169 



DARK NIGHT. 

The night is dark; The moon 
Has hidden her cold face 
Behind a veil so thick and black. 
As sets the groping stars 
To wondering what heaven 
Has done with their bright queen. 

The lazy waves, on ocean's gently 

Swelling breast recline, 

Like weary children, tired of the day. 



i70 Love and Kisses* 



A KISS AT THE THONE. 

But she was so shy, in every place, 
I never could kiss her, she'd cover her face. 
And if by much striving, I managed to land 
A kiss on her hair, or the back of her hand, 
That had to suffice ; though oft I did yearn, 
I never could get the least smack in return. 
I teased and I begged, "Pray give me just 

one!" 
She firmly refused, I must "play it alone!" 
I longed, from her lips, to take my sweet fill, 
But what could I do ? She wouldn't hold still I 
'Twas not lack of love (between you and I), 
'Twas only because she was fearfully shy, 
It occasioned regret, and sometimes a tear. 
To seem yet so far, when she was so near. 
I'll tell you the way, fate helped her to prove, 
The beauty and truth of her sensitive love. 
Late one summer's night, I sat in my room. 
All nature outside being shrouded in gloom. 



A Kfss at the Thonc* i7i 

My pen and my books had been put away, 
All ready for service "on call*' the next day. 
My dog calmly dozed at my feet, on the mat, 
The canary was sleeping, and likewise the cat. 
The "girl" at the "Central" was sleepy and 

tired, 
The conditions were just what my fancy re- 
quired. 
I determined to "call Jennie up" on the 'phone, 
Her folks were away, and she quite alone. 
I "touched the bell" gently, the "number" I 

gave, 
In tones low and weird, as a voice from the 

grave, 
"Connection" once made, (while sleeping, I 

s'pose), 
And "Central" sank back in her seat, for re- 
pose. 
(She must have been sleeping — the "line" 

clearly bore 
The musical tone of a feminine snore!) 
So Jennie and I had a nice little chat, 
With nobody guessing just what we were at. 
We talked of our love, our joys, and our fears. 
Our hopes for a future unmingled with tears. 



172 Love and Kisses* 

And other sweet things, which fond lovers 

know, 
Make earth such a heaven to mortals below. 
Then, whispered "good bye'' when, something 

so queer. 
An odd little sound, hit me, pat, in the ear ! 
It gave me a singular thrill, I declare! 
Like "song without words" pulsating in air. 
I said, "Dearest Jennie, what was that last 

'word ? 
I'm listening intently, but don't think I heard !" 
Said she, "I said nothing. I thought you were 

done, 
I only touched my two lips to the 'phone. 
If anything struck you, it might be a 'slip 
Of the tongue,' or perchance, a twist of my lip. 
How did it affect you ? Your face I can't see ! 
Was it nice ? ( Surely something has gone out 

of me.") 
Said I, "Please repeat," and I listened intent. 
Upon getting her last word, so eagerly bent. 
When softly and sweetly, there came a dear 

sound. 
Which made my lips tremble. My heart gave 

a bound! 



A Kiss at the Thonc* 173 

I squeezed the "transmitter," and quickly re- 
joined, 
(In language unspeakable, never yet coined), 
(Smack) "I understand, Jennie! And, thank 

you, my dear ! 
I have your sweet -nessage, down snug in my 

ear! 
I feel my heart beating, at my finger tips, 
lYour ^last word' is throbbing, sweet girl, on 
my lipsT 



174 Love and Kisses* 



WHEN I AM GONE. 

Seems strange, to think that when Fm gone 
This world'll wag on just the same. 
The hull machine'U run alone, 
Just like it did afore I came; 
IVe got so us't to watchin' things, 
'Nd seein' how the old thing goes. 
It kinder seems as if the wings 
'D flag, and all creation doze. 
When I am gone. 

Seems 'sif all the clocks'd stop. 
The milk turn sour, the streams run dry. 
The axles break, or sumthin' drop. 
Without my ever- watchful eye. 
The turret on the City Hall, 
And all the 'lectric towers bend 
'Nd sway 'nd totter, pitch 'nd fall, 
And time itself come to an end, 
When I am gone. 



"When I am Gone. J 75 

'Tis hard to realize that sun 
'Nd moon, 'nd stars, 'nd land, *nd sea, 
And lakes and rivers, every one, 
Can still exist — all without me ! 
That all the tribes 'nd nations will, 
In every clime and every land, 
Continue to perform, 'nd still 
"Do business at the same old stand," 
When I am gone. 



That animals 'nd bugs 'nd bees, 
'Nd all the creepin' things that live. 
That birds 'nd flowers, shrubs and trees, 
'Nd fish, 'nd fowl, will still survive; 
That telephone girls, so deef 'nd dum'. 
Will still distract the waiting soul, 
'Nd trolley cars keep up their hum, 
'Nd bicycles their ceaseless roll. 
When I am gone. 



But then, of course, it will be so. 
For near as I can ascertain. 
The livin' will keep on the go, 
iWhen I am in, out pf the rain, 



176 Love and Kisses* 

By the dreamy light of the same old moon, 
The restless feet, unused to stand, 
Will trip and dance to the same old tune. 
Keep time and step with the same old band, 
When I am gone. 



From the Klondike* J 77 



FROM THE KLONDIKE. 
{To the Girl I Left Behind Me.) 

I've read the notice in the press, 
You're married, darHng Caroline! 

My heart is filled with bitterness 
To know I may not call thee mine. 

Oh ! cruel fate, that could ordain. 

That two such kindred souls should meet, 
And know the blissful joy and pain 

Of plighted love and friendship sweet, 

Yet miss the goal for which they sigh, 
Because of walls that intervene. 

Like giant mountains, heaven high, 
With soundless depth of gulf between. 



178 Love and Kisses* 

But there is One who rules the fates, 
At whose behest the mountains move; 

The sphere of heaven reverberates 
With sacred paeans of His love. 

Without His ken no wish has birth; 

No sigh escapes His watchful ear; 
His sympathy, broad as the earth. 

Takes careful note of every tear. 

Myriad worlds revolve in space, 
In harmony, at His decree; 

Each planet finds its kindred place, 
Each atom its affinity. 

In His good time, sweet Carrie dear, 
When all mistakes of earth are past, 

In His own time, not here, not here. 
In heaven, you shall be mine at last ! 



Valentine to Marie* J79 



VALENTINE TO MARIE. 

Cupid, you scamp, Why treat me so? 

No doubt you think you're very smart ! 
At random, fooHng with your bow. 

You've lodged an arrow in my heart! 
Don't think you can my wits deceive. 

By that excuse long since exploded, 
You never can make me believe 

You "didn't know the thing was loaded !' 

If you have no intent to kill 

Your guileless, unsuspecting prey, 
When next you exercise your skill, 

Please point your dart the other way! 
'Tis not the first time you have aimed, 

"Without intent" to take my life. 
And left my heart severely maimed. 

And me, no prospect for a wife ! 



^80 Love and Kisses* 

These injuries I would not mind, 

Your silly pranks I could excuse, 
Like Psyche, I might "go it blind,'* 

If I had twenty hearts to lose; 
But well you know, Fve only one. 

And, that I prize it, is not strange; 
Now, since this mischief you have done, 

I'll have another — in exchange. 

Or else, the damage, you shall pay ; 

(Son of Chaos, small but mighty. 
How many parents have you ? Say ! 

There's Day and Night and Aphrodite; 
Heaven and Earth — parental kin. 

Have nurtured you, through cold and wet, 
With parents, six, you should have been 

A triplet, twin, or quadruplet!) 

I'll prosecute the "combined trust" 

Of mythological repute. 
And "pack the jury," if I must. 

To save myself and win my suit. 
I'll scour the country far and wide, 

For witnesses and evidence; 
I'll have my "pound of flesh," your hide; 

You've not a shadow of defense! 



Valentine to Marie* J8J 

ril levy on your flaming torch. 

And if I fail to get a mate, 
ril use it, your bright wings to scorch ! 

My claim Fll have, without rebate. 
What say? "Sweet Marie's heart you've hit, 

With the same dart that entered mine?" 
God bless you, boy I That settles it ; 

I'll be her loving valentine! 



(82 Love and Kisses* 



TO A HOUSE FLY. 

You humming, buzzing, whirling thing, 
Flying round on noisy wing, 
Upward, downward, round and round. 
Never knowing where you're bound. 
On the wall, then through the air. 
Humming, buzzing everywhere, 
Flutt'ring on the window pane. 
Acting as if half insane. 
Where not wanted, there you are. 
For an invite never care, 
Intrude and risk your senseless head. 
Where spotless angels fear to tread, 
I wonder if you're not ashamed? 
Surely you are fitly named. 
Coming, going as you please. 
Living but to take your ease. 
Taking what is not your own, 
Gath'ring where you've never sown. 



To a Hotise Fly* S83 

Dining early, supping late, 

Stealing food from every plate; 

Sinner, rogue, knave and scamp. 

Rascal, scavenger and tramp. 

Tell you what : I've heard it said, 

*Tlies are only good when dead !" 

I mean to trap you on the sly ; 

Down comes my hand, and lo! you die! 



God of Love ! what have I done ! 
Have mercy on me, blessed One! 
Taken life! and what is more, 
Life that I can ne'er restore! 
His fragile form by force laid low. 
With cruel, brutal, deadly blow ! 
Not tears nor prayers nor sighs of pain 
Can e'er bring back his life again, 
Assaulted him with foul intent! 
O, Lord forgive me ! I repent ! 
Am I so fraught with virtues rare. 
That my best life could well compare 
With his, that never had a sin. 
Nor thought with cherished evil in! 
Nor aught of envy, lust and pride 
And countless shameful sins beside. 



t84 Love and Kisses* 

That taint, and my poor heart defile, 
While he is pure and free from guile? 
Worse am I in eye of Thine, 
Than ever he in eyes of mine! 
Sinner, rascal, scamp, was he? 
Tenfold more so, I must be, 
That I, devoid of cause or strife. 
With ruthless hand could take a life ! 
God of mercy ! what am I, 
That I presume to kill a fly? 



Pity, Lord! J85 



PITY, LORD! 

Look with pity from above, 

On our hearts, surcharged with fears, 
And with sympathizing love. 

Wipe away our trembling tears. 

Pity those who doubting stand, 
Bid their apprehensions cease. 

Guide with Thy sustaining hand. 
Into paths of trust and peace. 

Pity those who long for aid. 
Such as Thou alone can'st give. 

Thou hast all their ransom paid, 
Let them look to Thee and live. 

Pity those that vainly yearn, 
For loving human sympathy. 

By simple faith may they discern 
More than all their needs, in Thee. 



iS6 Love and Kisses* 

Succor those who, tempted, tried, 
Vainly strive the load to bear, 

Raise their eyes to Him who died. 
Save their souls from dark despair. 



All the World^s A-Drcamin^* 187 



ALL THE WORLD'S A-DREAMING. 

All the world's a-dreaming, 
We think we are awake. 

But this is only seeming, 
'Tis all a huge mistake! 

Dreams are so realistic, 
Our reason they enthrall ; 

In subjugation mystic. 
They hold the senses all. 

One dreams that he is wealthy 
In stocks and bonds galore. 

Anon perchance he wakes to find 
The wolf is at his door. 

Another dreams he's healthy. 
With mind and body strong, 

But soon he finds to his dismay, 
His liver's going wrong. 



tSS Love and Kisses* 

One dreams he's fitly married, 
And deep in love of course. 

And only wakes to find himself, 
Applying for divorce. 

Another dreams he's famous. 
In learning, art or skill, 

But wakes to find he's stranded. 
At the bottom of the hill. 



One dreams he is a jester, 

A wit of great renown, 
But wakes in later life to find 

He's only been a clown. 

One dreams that he's a poet, 
And deals in thoughts sublime. 

But wakes to see, with all his pains 
He's written only rhyme. 

One dreams that he's improving. 
His time, from day to day. 

But wakes to find, too late, alas. 
He's dreamed his life away! 



All the World's A-Dfeamin^* J89 

Our life is all too aimless, 

No compass, chart nor star, 
But death, thank God, shall waken us 

To see things as they are ! 



190 Love and Kisses* 



THE LETTER. 

What pleasing thought can I indite, 
Or what inspiring word essay? 

My thoughts flow sluggishly to-night, 
When Somebody is gone away. 

The rays of moonlight seem less bright; 

The sky seems not so blue by day; 
There's not a blessed thing to write, 

When Somebody is gone away. 

The birds sing daily in the trees, 
Their happy, gleesome roundelay. 

But music lacks the power to please. 
When Somebody is gone away. 

The flowers in their cozy beds, 
A sense of loneliness display. 

And all the pansies droop their heads, 
When Somebody is gone away. 



The Letter. t9t 

The shadows flitting o'er the grass, 
Through clover-blossoms idly stray; 

They seem to flout me as I pass, 
When Somebody is gone away. 

The very pictures on the wall. 
Reluctant hang in mute array, 

Grim silence hovers over all, 
When Somebody is gone away. 

The dear ones that are left behind, 
Strive to look happy, bright and gay; 

All else seems deaf and dumb and blind, 
When Somebody is gone away. 

Our anxious eyes toward heaven we cast, 
And "blessings" on the absent pray. 

And hope the days may soon be past. 
When Somebody is gone away. 



i92 Love and Kisses« 



THE UNFORTUNATE MAN. 

Vm an unlucky mortal, and always have been, 
It began so long since that I cannot tell when. 
The night I was born the heavens wore a 

frown. 
The stars were asleep and the moon upside 

down. 

My maternal ancestor says that I cried, 
Until nothing was left on my bones but the 

hide. 
I worried so much from the very f^rst hour, 
That all her supply of provision turned sour. 

I went short of nutrition, and hankered for 

more, 
I lived on scant rations, while the baby next 

door, 
Had more than he needed, — the little galoot, — 
To meet all his wants, and the colic to boot. 



The Unfortunate Man. J93 

As older I grew, and went off to school, 
I failed in my lessons, and broke every rule. 
I thought I was trying quite hard, but, alas ! 
Could always be found at the foot of my class. 

In childhood my head was as bald as a clown; 
Then my hair came out red, when I wanted it 

brown. 
I went into college, while still in my teens, 
And there I soon learned that I didn't "know 

beans." 

Was always deficient in Latin and Greek, 
The French I could read, but never could 

speak. 
And when my beard came, in spite of my tears, 
It wouldn't grow down, but grew up, toward 

my ears. 

I was four times in love, three times failed to 

wed. 
The girls all said no! as they glanced at my 

head. 
And now, since I'm married, my case is most 

sad, 
I've just found the woman I ought to have had. 



194 Love and Kisses« 

We both are most deeply in love, but O my ! 
She's tied to a man with a single glass eye! 
A large pile of money is just what he makes, 
While I — well, I make a large pile of mistakes ! 

I'd give my dear life to jump into his shoes, 
For he's got the woman, while I've got the 

blues. 
The joys I most long for, come never to pass; 
Instead, in my dreams, comes a large eye of 

glass ! 

So it is, so it was, so it ever will be ; 

Luck always will win when she plays against 

me. 
If ever I die — -to bumper the cup, 
I fear I'll go down, when I ought to go up ! 



The Other One* t95 



THE OTHER ONE. 

How many girls I married 

I never yet have known; 
Though when the banns were pubhshed 

I spoke fo** only one. 

But latterly there have been times 

When I could but allow, 
The one I had next to my heart 

Was different, somehow. 

The girl I married long ago, 

Had bonny eyes of blue; 
With comely form and hair of brown 

And cheeks of rosy hue. 

The hair caressed her shapely neck, 

In graceful, wavy curls, 
And handsomer she seemed to me, 

Than all the other girls. 



t96 Love and Kisses* 

The one I now have at my side. 
Her hair is mostly gray ; 

Her cheeks are more Hke lilies, 
Than roses sweet in May. 

No graceful curls are clustering 

About her neck, alas! 
And when I look for two blue eyes, 

I see two disks of glass! 

The comely form of number one, 
Of which I was so proud. 

Is lost to view, and in its stead, 
A figure slightly bowed. 

They say that she is aged now. 

But all that I can see. 
Is that she's someway sweeter, 
Than the other used to be. 

A dearer than the other one, 
I never thought to meet; 

But this one! well, I tell you, it's 
A different kind of sweet ! 



The Othct One 197 

I praise the Lord for her He gave 
Me first, and when that's done, 

I praise Him yet more fervently, 
For this dear other one ! 



J 98 Love and Kisses* 



ALTER EGO. 

I'm a sad little kisslet, bemoaning my fate, 
The reason is this, I've lost my fond mate, 
He fled on a bouquet of two-lips one night, 
And ere I could catch him, was far out of sight. 

His absence has caused me a world of distress, 
And left me a stranger in life's wilderness. 
We kisses, you should know, are all born as 

twins. 
To double our joys and divide up our sins. 

He left me one night at the door near the 

street. 
Where stood a young lady, tall, graceful and 
] sweet. 

We were both on the lips of a youth at her side. 
And heard as he asked her to be his sweet 

bride. 



Alter E^o. J99 

She blushed as she faltered, "So sudden, dear 

Jack!" 
And my mate made a rush then to give her a 

smack, 
While I, more discreet, made an effort to stand, 
And decide — should I fly to her lips or her 

hand? 

Just then the fond mother came in with a light. 
The door quickly closed, with a whispered 

"Good-night!" 
My mate went away on the lips of the girl. 
And left me forsaken, my head all awhirl ! 

But Jack says, "Don't worry; one kiss means 

another, 
I'll soon take you back to abide with your 

brother." 
I suspect now that Jack, dear, has "been there" 

before. 
And knows what it means to get caught at the 

door. 



200 Love and Kisses* 



OH, GIVE ME BACK MY JIM. 

"Oh, give me back my Jim again," 

So spake a weeping wife. 
"He was the darhng of my heart. 

The treasure of my life. 
He used to be so fond of me. 

And I so proud of him; 
I never thought to lose him so. 

Oh, give me back my Jim ! 

"In some way which I can't divine, 

He's met the demon Drink. 
And while he tarries at the wine, 

I tremble on the brink 
Of mute despair. With scalding tears 

My weeping eyes are dim ; 
My constant prayer to Heaven, is — 

Oh, give me back my Jim ! 



Oh, Give Me Back My Jim* 201 

"Qn Christmas Eve I married him, 
I could not say him nay. 
The parson joined our willing hands, 

I'll ne'er forget the day. 
He placed the wedding ring upon 

My finger, white and slim, 

I little thought so soon to plead. 

Oh, give me back my Jim ! 

"When we were young, we always played 

Together, on the green; 
Jim seemed to me so brave and good, 

The dearest boy I'd seen. 
He used to wear checked aprons then, 

And hat with ragged rim, 
But O, I loved him even then, 

Oh, give me back my Jim ! 

"Our only child, my fair-haired boy, 

Is all that I have now; 
The only pledge that's left to me, 

Of his dear marriage vow; 
I see his father in his eyes. 

His shape in every limb ; 
But this is not enough for me. 

Oh, give me back my Jim ! 



202 Love and Kisses« 

*'His form is with me every day, 
But, oh, he's not the same! 
With bloated face and bloodshot eyes, 

He*s only Jim in name. 
Jim never treated me like this, 
Nor never looked so grim: 
'Tis not this man that I have loved! 
Oh, give me back my Jim ! 

"My life is one protracted sigh. 

One endless pain and smart ! 
'Tis only left for me to die. 

To ease my breaking heart ; 
My cup is full of bitterness. 

Of sorrow to the brim. 
There's no more joy in life for me. 

Oh, give me back my Jim !" 



Maude and Het Beaux* 203 



MAUDE AND HER BEAUX. 

Since Maude is eighteen, she's having two 

beaux ; 
If we advocate either, she turns up her neaux; 
Both stick to her, tight as a bee to a reaux; 
Which one she prefers, she fails to discleaux ; . 
And since they keep coming, 'tis fair to sup- 

peaux. 
She'll soon accept both, the matter to cleaux; 
But if in due time neither one does propeaux, 
She should put them out back, and turn on the 

heaux. 



204 Love and Kisse& 



SWEET VOICES. 

What earthly power can soothe or charm, 

Or what in heaven console ; 
Or what suffice to heal and make 

The wounded spirit whole! 
What minstrelsy can wake the heart, 

What music can you find 
So sweet and grateful to the soul. 

As voices that are kind? 

The law, to force allegiance. 

Two-edged swords doth wield; 
And conscience oft compels the will. 

Obedience to yield. 
But law and conscience, powerless are. 

With all their force combined, 
To rouse the heart, or stir the soul. 

Like voices that are kind. 



Sweet Voices* 205 



Ambition, wealth and pride, exert 

Their empire o'er the soul ; 
While hope and fear, alternately. 

Inconstant hearts control. 
But faith, and hope, and charity. 

As first by Heaven designed. 
Unite to comfort, cheer and bless 

By voices that are kind. 



206 Love and Kisses* 



DON'T SAY WE MUST PART. 

Och! Darlin' Melissa, don't say we must part, 

When we go from this airth to the worl,d 

that's divoine. 

We'll enther the gates, widout waiting to start, 

For St. Peter's a full blood decindent of 

moine. 

And when we have enthered, we'll not have to 
wait, 
For I have a void contract wid tailor Jim 
Knight 
To furnish our robes at tramendus rebate, 
From the price that it cosht him to stale 
them outright. 

'Dade, they tell me, "There's niver a marriage 
in hiven," 
Which accounts for its fradom from sorrow 
and sthrife. 
That "No one is taken in marriage, nor given," 
You can sthill be me swateheart, but niver 
me wife! 



Don't Say We Must Part* 207 

They say, "There's no noight there," swate 
darlin' Meliss, 
But I think we'll get used to that same very 
soon ! 
Yet I can't help reflectin', how much we shall 
miss 
Our dear little walks by the light of the 
moon! 



Thin, afther the walks, there's the swate sithing 
down. 
Untying of shoon, and undoing of hair. 
Faith, I fear I'll do suthin' to muss your new 
gown. 
And I'll miss your swate kiss at the foot of 
the sthair. 



We'll be passing togither, the twelve gates of 
purl, 
Each gate is one purl of itself, I am tould. 
And the walks, all transparent as glass, me 
swate gurl. 
And the sthrate walls all solid built up wid 
pure gould. 



208 Love and Kisses» 

Wheriver we go, in that illegant place, 
There'll be suthin', sure, to remind me of 
you, 
For whichever way I turn, I shall see your 
swate face 
Reflected beside me, and lovely to view. 

Togither we'll sail on a sea of hot glass, 
For the glass in that sea will be mingled wid 
fire, 
And wid harps, ready-made, for each lad and 
his lass 
There'll be cart-loads of music for all who 
desire. 

Hist! if I'm diskivered, I'm certainly losht; 

Who's that I see coming in yon pony-cart? 
'Tis Bridget Malony and Timothy Frosht, 

Me rival wid you in the choice of me heart ! 

Wish I'd brought me shillalah, to castigate 
Tim; 
He richly desarves the swate boon of a 
swipe, 
But you look so entrateing, I'll not injure him ; 
Good-bye; I'll go home for a whiff at my 
pipe. 



Lines for Guest Chamber. 209 



LINES FOR GUEST CHAMBER. 

If you manage to sleep on this hard, awkward 

bed 
It will clearly prove you're "a sleepy head !" 
If perchance you hope, before morning to 

dream. 
You'll soon change your mind when they turn 

on the steam; 
Then, such a "rattle te-bang" you will hear, 
As will quick get you up, yes, "Up on your 

ear!" 
And when after dressing you come down and 

report 
That you've had a good rest — and things of 

that sort — 
We will know by your looks, your yawning 

and sighing, 
That you've not been sleeping, you've only 

been lying! 



2i0 Love and Kisses* 



EVENING. 

Gently sinks the lord of day — 

Hiding his imperial face ; 
Softly fades the light away — 

As the evening grows apace. 

O'er the faint, declining light — 
Gilding all the space between — 

Rises Luna, queen of night — 

Swathed in twilight's fleecy sheen. 

One by one, the myriad eyes 

Of heaven's distant, twinkling host, 

In bright array, bedeck the skies 
Till, contemplating, we are lost 

In admiration, wonder, awe, 
And silent rapture, to behold 

Nature's all-controlling law. 
Majestically, thus unfold ! 



A Prayer* 2ti 



A PRAYER. 

Now I lay nie down to sleep; — 
Close my eyes in silent prayer ; 

Heavenly Father, vigil keep! — 
Rid my soul of every care. 

May no anxious worldly thought 
Fill my soul with vague unrest ; 

Dissipate and bring to naught 
Every fear within my breast. 

Lord, forgive my every sin ! 

May no baneful wish allure! 
Make me good and true within; 

Renovate, and make me pure ! 

Let no dread of future ill^ 

Nor grim shadows of the past, 
With despair my bosom fill ; 

O, receive my soul at last ! 

THE END. 



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